2013 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 17 - Elections
Chapter 17-28 - Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence
Section 17-28-3 - Address confidentiality program – Application – Certification.

§ 17-28-3 Address confidentiality program – Application – Certification. – (a) An adult person who is a victim of domestic violence and any member of his/her household may apply to the secretary of state to have an address designated by the secretary of state serve as the person's address. The secretary of state shall approve an application if it is filed in the manner and on the form prescribed by the secretary of state and if it contains:

(1) A sworn statement by the applicant:

(i) That the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, as defined in § 17-28-2(c) of this chapter;

(ii) That the applicant fears for his or her safety or his or her children's safety, or;

(iii) That the applicant resides in the same household as a victim of domestic violence, as defined in subsection 17-28-2(c); and

(iv) That the individual who committed the domestic violence has knowledge that the applicant lives in the same household as the victim of domestic violence, as defined in subsection 17-28-2(c).

(2) The mailing address where the applicant can be contacted by the secretary of state, and the phone number or numbers where the applicant can be called by the secretary of state;

(3) The new address or addresses that the applicant requests not be disclosed for the reason that disclosure will increase the risk of domestic violence;

(4) The signature of the applicant, and of any individual or representative of any office designated in writing under § 17-28-6 who assisted in the preparation of the application, and the date on which the applicant signed the application.

(b) Applications shall be filed with the office of the secretary of state.

(c) Upon filing a properly completed application, the secretary of state shall certify the applicant as a program participant. Applicants shall be certified for four (4) years following the date of filing unless the certification is withdrawn or invalidated before that date. The secretary of state shall establish by rule a renewal procedure.

(d) A person who falsely attests in an application that disclosure of the applicant's address would endanger the applicant's safety or the safety of the applicant's children, or who knowingly provides false or incorrect information upon making an application, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

History of Section.
(P.L. 1999, ch. 339, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 106, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 109, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 298, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 316, § 1.)