 |
|
1/26/2024
|
Reps. O’Brien and Corvese strongly support Deputy Speaker Hull’s LEOBOR reform bill
|
STATE HOUSE – Reps. William W. O’Brien and Arthur J. Corvese are fully supporting Deputy Speaker Raymond A. Hull’s legislation (2024-H 7263) which will reform the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR).
Adopted in Rhode Island in 1976, LEOBOR protects officers accused of misconduct, preventing them from being immediately fired or put on leave without pay, and allowing their continued employment to be decided by a three-person panel of other police officers.
“Deputy Speaker Hull has served the people of Providence for decades as a police officer and his LEOBOR reform bill will continue to serve the people of Rhode Island well by bringing them transparency and accountability. I fully support this piece of legislation and I will be advocating for its passage,” said Representative O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence).
“Changes to LEOBOR have been needed for many years and Deputy Speaker Hull’s bill will achieve the significant reforms that will reinforce the trust between the public and law enforcement. I commend him for introducing this legislation and I look forward to voting for the bill’s passage when it comes to the House floor,” said Representative Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence).
Deputy Speaker Hull’s legislation would establish a five-member hearing committee consisting of three qualified and randomly selected law enforcement officers, a retired judge, and an attorney selected in consultation with the Supreme Court's Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness and the Rhode Island Bar Association's Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion. It would establish a two-tier summary suspension structure ranging from a five- to 14-day summary suspension and allow a police chief to make public statements and release video evidence in any instance other than summary suspensions imposed under tier one for minor infractions.
The act would take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and it has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
|
|