This bill amends Section 8-10-23.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-10 entitled "Family Court." It establishes a statewide juvenile hearing board and appoints a coordinator for the board. The coordinator is responsible for providing education, training, data collection and analysis, coordination, and assistance to cities and towns in the establishment and maintenance of juvenile hearing boards and teen courts. The bill also specifies that no juvenile hearing board or teen court in Rhode Island can hear or dispose of felony offenses without the express written consent of the chief justice of the family court. The position of statewide juvenile hearing board coordinator is a pilot program that will run from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 2001, unless extended by the general assembly.

Additionally, the bill allows the juvenile hearing board to order a juvenile to attend a rehabilitative driving course operated by a college or university accredited by the State of Rhode Island if the circumstances of the offense indicate that the program would be beneficial to the juvenile. The order may also include a provision for the juvenile to pay reasonable tuition for the course. Failure to comply with the order may result in a show cause hearing before the traffic tribunal to determine whether the person's license or registration should be suspended or revoked. The notice and hearings before the traffic tribunal will be conducted according to the provisions of chapter 41.1 of title 31. The bill will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2200: 8-10-23.1