Creates the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivor Services Fund in Rhode Island to provide state funding for nonprofit organizations that deliver direct services to survivors of domestic violence.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would create a new dedicated fund in Rhode Island called the "Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivor Services Fund." The purpose of the fund is to provide a reliable source of state money specifically for nonprofit organizations that offer direct help to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. By establishing a formal fund, the bill aims to ensure that these services have a consistent and identifiable funding stream rather than relying solely on one-time or unpredictable budget allocations.

The bill primarily affects nonprofit organizations that provide hands-on services to survivors — such as shelters, hotlines, counseling, and safety planning — by potentially giving them access to state funding through this new dedicated source. Ultimately, the people who would benefit most are domestic violence and sexual assault survivors across Rhode Island who rely on these nonprofit services for support and safety.

At this stage, the bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House and referred to the House Finance Committee, where lawmakers will review it and consider its details, including how much money would go into the fund and how it would be managed and distributed. No final decisions have been made yet, and it will need to pass through additional steps before becoming law.