§ 12-29-12. Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund — Policy.
(a) The general assembly finds and declares that domestic violence is a serious public
health concern in the state of Rhode Island, and that evidence-based domestic violence
prevention programs are important tools in decreasing the continuing toll that domestic
violence takes on Rhode Island communities, cities, and towns. It is therefore in
the best interest of the state to establish a fund to promote effective programs working
toward the primary prevention of domestic violence in Rhode Island.
(b) Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund:
(1) There is created the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund program, to
be administered by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
(2) The Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund program monies shall be used
to fund evidence-based programs with the purpose of primary prevention of domestic
violence and dating violence in the state of Rhode Island.
(3) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shall convene a statewide prevention
fund advisory committee comprised of those with knowledge, experience, training, and/or
expertise in the field of prevention of domestic violence and dating violence. The
committee members shall include, but are not limited to, the executive director of
the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, or his or her designee; the
director of the department of health, or his or her designee; the director of the
department of human services, or his or her designee; the attorney general, or his
or her designee; and representative organizations providing domestic violence and
dating violence primary prevention services in Rhode Island.
(c) The committee shall be responsible for implementation of programs to prevent domestic
and dating abuse and shall:
(1) Develop a plan and budget for distribution of funds;
(2) Develop criteria for awarding and distributing funds received to develop plans and
programs for the prevention of domestic and dating violence;
(3) Issue requests for proposals to providers, organizations, firms, or entities that
will provide services to the committee;
(4) Review proposals for the funds and present recommendations to the board of directors
of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
(5) Monitor and account for the expenditure of funds and produce an annual report on the
activities of the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund. Annual reports
shall be submitted to the senate and house finance committees of the general assembly
for review on or before February 28 of each year; and
(6) Promote the general development of domestic violence primary prevention programs and
activities.
(d) Organizations submitting proposals for funds shall not participate in the review of
proposals or expenditure of funds. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
shall not be eligible to submit proposals for the committee's programs nor shall it
be eligible to receive any funds from the committee except as hereinafter provided.
(e) The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence may utilize up to ten percent
(10%) of the sums collected for the Deborah DeBare domestic violence prevention fund
for the purpose of administering the program and it shall also be required to submit
an annual report detailing the expenditure of funds to the senate and house finance
committees on or before February 28 of each year.