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SB 2981 Rhode Island Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMPUTER CRIME

Summary
Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens cyberstalking laws by removing the 'sole purpose' requirement, enhancing victim protection and law enforcement ability to prosecute digital harassment cases.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill lowers threshold for cybercrime convictions, potentially restricting digital communication rights and limiting technology use without requiring proof of malicious intent.75% confidence
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 4, 2026 Last action May 12, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 12, 2026
Committee
05/12/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced
03/04/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
5 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Alana DiMario
Alana DiMario
DDemocratic
RI
36
P
Photo of Bridget Valverde
Bridget Valverde
DDemocratic
RI
35
P
Photo of Mark McKenney
Mark McKenney
DDemocratic
RI
30
P
Photo of Melissa Murray
Melissa Murray
DDemocratic
RI
24
P
Photo of Pam Lauria
Pam Lauria
DDemocratic
RI
32