SB 63 Rhode Island Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

SB 63 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offense categories in the state's law. It specifies that a felony is any offense punishable by more than one year in prison or a fine over $1,000; a misdemeanor is punishable by 6 months to 364 days in prison or a fine up to $1,000; and a petty misdemeanor is punishable by up to 6 months in prison or a fine up to $500. The bill also explicitly states that any reference to "one year" in legal texts should be interpreted as 364 days. This change directly affects all criminal cases classified under these categories, ensuring consistent application of penalties. The bill takes effect upon passage.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Feb 26, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2025

How they voted

305
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 36
Feb 25, 2025
D Democratic32
30 Yea 1 Nay 1
93% Yea
R Republican4
4 Nay
100% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
02/26/2025 Referred to House Judiciary
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
02/25/2025 Senate read and passed
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Legislature · Passed
02/11/2025 Committee recommends passage
legislature
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced
01/23/2025 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
9 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors