Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7204: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7204 would allow individuals with multiple non-violent felony convictions to petition for the removal of their criminal records after completing their sentences for 10 years. This applies to people with more than one felony conviction (excluding crimes of violence) who have paid all court fees and fines, maintained a clean record for 10 years, and demonstrated good moral character. The bill amends existing expungement laws to expand eligibility beyond single offenses, specifically targeting those with multiple non-violent felony convictions. It does not apply to violent felony convictions or cases involving certain offenses under Chapter 29 of Title 12.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7205: AN ACT RELATED TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCING RECONSIDERATION ACT

Allows eligible individuals serving sentences of imprisonment to seek sentence reductions from the superior court, individuals serving life without parole or minimum mandatory sentences pursuant to law, would not be eligible for such relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 7216: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE TO INMATES AND INDIVIDUALS AWAITING TRIAL IN THE CUSTODY OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

RIDOC) (Creates a 9 member commission to study and make recommendations on the delivery of healthcare services at RIDOC, and who reports back to the House no later than January 5, 2027, and whose life would expire on March 5, 2027.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2272: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ACT

Requires single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations of over forty-thousand (40,000) to allow middle housing and mandates that those municipalities adopt zoning regulations for middle housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2265: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Limits municipal minimum lot sizes for residential use to 2,500 sq ft near transit, 5,000 sq. ft with water/sewer, and 1 acre otherwise, while protecting farmlands, forests, and wetlands, and requiring zoning updates to comply.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2275: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- PROCEDURE FOR APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION

Restores the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request and clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for units are granted.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7281: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7281 reduces the waiting period for expunging criminal records. It shortens the time to 3 years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and 5 years for felonies or multiple misdemeanors (down from 5 and 10 years, respectively). The bill applies to people with eligible non-violent convictions who have paid all court fees and fines. Violent crime convictions and certain offenses under specific statutes remain ineligible for expungement. The changes take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7280: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

Creates a 10 member bail task force to study the need of monetary conditions of bail and to consider other methods for ensuring an accused’s appearance in court, enhance public safety and honor the presumption of innocence and to file report by 1/1/2028.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2274: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Changes the residential limit for any substantial multi-family housing project not to exceed forty thousand (40,000) residents according to the United States Census Bureau.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2053: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- MAINTENANCE OF ORDER ON CAMPUS

Mandates arming campus police at public higher educational institutions and would include campus police in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for the purposes of the "law enforcement officers' bill of rights".

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 7340: HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY URGING RHODE ISLAND INSURERS AND THE RHODE ISLAND PROPERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATION TO REDUCE INSURANCE COSTS ON LOCAL RESIDENTS BY PURSUING SUBROGATION CLAIMS AGAINST POLLUTERS WHO KNOWINGLY ENGAGED IN MISLEADING AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES REGARDING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THEIR PRODUCTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

HR 7340 is a non-binding House resolution urging Rhode Island insurers and the Rhode Island Property Insurance Association to pursue subrogation claims against fossil fuel polluters who knowingly misled the public about climate impacts. It directly affects homeowners by seeking to lower insurance costs through reimbursement from polluters, similar to past cases involving tobacco and opioids. The resolution does not create new laws but encourages insurers to use existing legal mechanisms to recover costs from polluters responsible for climate-related damages that drive up premiums. It was introduced to the House Corporations committee on January 28, 2026.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7432: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

Prohibits prosecutions for crimes in Rhode Island if the prosecution arises from the same facts or acts for which the defendant was acquitted in another jurisdiction, unless newly discovered evidence substantially warrants prosecution.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results