The bill proposes the establishment of a municipal court in the town of Foster, with the town council being granted the authority to create the court and confer upon it original jurisdiction to hear and determine causes involving the violation of any town ordinance. The bill specifies that defendants found guilty, excluding certain violations, may appeal to the Providence county superior court within seven days for a trial de novo. Additionally, the town council may establish a municipal housing court with jurisdiction over various housing and zoning violations, including those related to the Rhode Island zoning enabling act, historical area zoning, minimum housing standards, housing maintenance, development review act, local Foster ordinances, and state building codes. Aggrieved parties may appeal final judgments to the Providence county superior court within twenty days.
The bill also outlines the powers of the Foster housing court, which include the ability to enforce compliance, order repairs, demolition, or vacating of dwellings, and place dwellings into receivership. The municipal court is given concurrent jurisdiction with the Rhode Island traffic tribunal for certain traffic violations and is subject to review by the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal. The town council of Foster is authorized to appoint judges and clerks for both the municipal and housing courts and to enact ordinances governing court operations, including setting fees and fines up to $500. The act would take effect upon passage.