The bill amends Section 11-37-13.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-37, titled "Sexual Assault," to enhance the reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies regarding sexual assault and child molestation incidents. It mandates that law enforcement agencies complete a domestic violence/sexual assault reporting form upon determining probable cause for an incident and submit this form to the attorney general's office. The bill specifies that the reporting form must include detailed information about the incident, such as the existence of any prior court orders and any language barriers present.

Additionally, the bill requires law enforcement departments to electronically submit the domestic violence/sexual assault reporting forms and corresponding police report narratives at the end of each month. For cases still under investigation or for which an arrest warrant has been issued but not yet executed, the responsible law enforcement department must electronically submit the forms and narratives as soon as practicable, but no later than the end of the calendar year in which the incident occurred.

The bill also establishes that the domestic violence training and monitoring unit within the administrative office of state courts will prescribe the form and process for submitting the reporting forms and will oversee the expungement of these forms upon acquittal, dismissal, or other exoneration. The changes aim to improve data collection on sexual assault incidents and ensure compliance with reporting requirements. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7648: 11-37-13.3