(a)  Any charitable organization having its principal place of business outside of this state or organized under the laws of a foreign state and that solicits contributions from persons in this state, shall be deemed to have irrevocably appointed the director as its agent upon whom may be served any summons, subpoena, subpoena duces tecum, or other process directed to the charitable organization, or any partner, principal, officer, member (if a limited-liability company), trustee, or director thereof, with the same effect as if the charitable organization existed in this state.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-53.1-6

  • Charitable organization: means any organization soliciting for a charitable purpose or any organization holding themselves out as such. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-53.1-1
  • Director: means the director of the department. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-53.1-1
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Subpoena duces tecum: A command to a witness to produce documents.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.

(b)  Whenever lawful process is served upon the director, the director shall forward a copy of the process served on him or her by mail, postpaid, directed to the charitable organization. For each copy of the process served the director shall collect, for the use of the state, the sum of five dollars ($5.00), which shall be paid by the plaintiff at the time of service.

History of Section.
P.L. 1999, ch. 152, § 2.