The bill amends Section 8-10-23.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-10, titled "Family Court," to establish a statewide juvenile hearing board. The juvenile hearing board is granted the authority to refer a juvenile offender to a rehabilitative driving course operated under the jurisdiction of a college or university accredited by the State of Rhode Island, if the circumstances of the offense indicate that such programs would be beneficial to the juvenile. The hearing board may include in its order a provision to pay reasonable tuition for the course unless the juvenile demonstrates an inability to pay.

The order issued by the hearing board shall contain findings of fact and a copy must be submitted to the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal. Failure to comply with the order of attendance, after notice and hearing, will result in a show cause hearing conducted before the traffic tribunal to determine whether grounds exist for the suspension or revocation of the juvenile's license or registration. Notice and hearings before the traffic tribunal shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of chapter 41.1 of title 31. This act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5649: 8-10-23.1