There is hereby established within the Towns of Foster and Glocester,
a regional Juvenile Hearing Board with the powers set forth in this chapter
and said statute for the purpose of hearing all cases referred to such Board
by the Chief of Police, or his designee, from the Towns of Foster and Glocester,
involving persons under the age of 18 years, who are charged with violating
the criminal laws of the State of Rhode Island and said towns, including wayward,
misdemeanor and status offenses and violations of local Town ordinances and
the provisions of R.I.G.L. § 16-19 regarding compulsory school attendance.
The Board, after investigation, may refuse to hear any case in which
it appears that a juvenile was wrongfully referred in violation of this chapter
and the statute. In addition, the Board may refuse to hear any case in which
the juvenile refuses to supply the Board with requested information, fails
to appear when requested or refuses to cooperate with the proceedings of the
Board. The Board shall immediately notify the Chief of Police from the applicable
jurisdiction, in writing, of any case it refuses to hear, and the Chief of
Police shall take whatever further action he/she deems necessary, including
referral to Family Court.
The membership of the Regional Juvenile Hearing Board shall consist
of seven persons and two alternates over the age of 18 years of age, all of
whom shall have been residents of the respective towns for at least three
years, and none of whom shall be attorneys admitted to practice before the
Supreme Court of the State of Rhode Island. The Board shall consist of citizens
of Foster and Glocester who have a background in or related to the fields
of education, probation and parole, human services, community youth programs,
or who are members of the clergy, former law enforcement or judicial officials
or citizens whom the Council deems have the credentials that would be assets
to the Board. The Town Councils shall appoint seven members as follows: three
members from the Town of Foster, four members from the Town of Glocester.
The two alternates will be comprised of one Foster representative and one
Glocester representative. The Juvenile Justice Planning Committee shall be
asked to comment on all proposed appointments. Each Town Council shall appoint
a member whose term shall expire on September 30, 2000, and who shall serve
thereafter until his/her successor is appointed and qualified; a member whose
term shall expire on September 30, 2001, and who shall serve thereafter until
his/her successor is appointed and qualified; and three members, two from
Glocester and one from Foster, whose terms shall expire on September 30, 2002,
and who shall serve thereafter until their successors are appointed and qualified.
The two alternates shall be appointed for a period of one-year terms to expire
on September 30. During the month of August and annually thereafter, the Foster
and Glocester Town Councils shall appoint a member or members to succeed the
member or members whose terms will next expire, to serve for a term of three
years, commencing on the first day of October, and thereafter until their
successors are appointed and qualified. In the event of a vacancy occurring
in the office of a member by death, resignation or otherwise, such vacancy
shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment, but only for the
remainder of the term of the former member. No member of the Regional Juvenile
Hearing Board shall be entitled to receive any compensation by reason of his
or her service on the Board.
This chapter shall apply to all juveniles alleged to have committed
an offense after December 16, 1999, effective January 11, 2000.