Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7585: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

HB 7585 expands eligibility for the state's crime victim compensation program to include hit-and-run victims who suffer serious bodily injury. The bill amends the existing law to explicitly add "failure to stop by a driver in circumstances which result in serious bodily injury or death" as a qualifying offense under the program. This change directly affects victims of hit-and-run collisions where the driver flees the scene and causes serious injury, allowing them to seek financial compensation through the current program. The policy change modifies the list of qualifying offenses without creating new funding or altering program administration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim compensation eligibility for hit-and-run victims, directly supporting crime victim rights within criminal justice system95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7649: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- UNIFORM ACT ON PREVENTION OF AND REMEDIES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Requires that all monies received from the payment of fines under the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking be deposited into the into the violent crimes indemnity account within the general fund.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects trafficking fines to violent crimes fund, supporting victim services and criminal justice system funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7753: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISARMING A PEACE OFFICER

Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes disarming peace officers, strengthening law enforcement safety and protection within criminal justice framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8155: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

Under the emergency fund for victims, increases the share of a victim’s total award that may be used for relocation related expenses but not increase total compensation available to a victim.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim relocation expenses within compensation program, directly supporting victim services in criminal justice without altering total funding.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2100: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- UNIFORM ACT ON PREVENTION OF AND REMEDIES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Requires that all monies received from the payment of fines under the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking be deposited into the into the violent crimes indemnity account within the general fund.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects trafficking fines to violent crimes indemnity fund, funding criminal justice resource allocation per bill's purpose.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 8272: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- LAW ENFORCEMENT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Makes sexual contact or penetration between any law enforcement officer that is on duty and a person that is a detainee, arrestee, in custody or a suspect a felony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by criminalizing sexual misconduct by law enforcement officers, protecting civil rights and victims.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7757: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- FAMILY COURT

Gives statewide juvenile hearing boards the authority to refer a juvenile offender to a rehabilitative driving course, as part of a disposition of an offense before the board. The order may be enforced by the traffic tribunal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides juvenile offenders rehabilitative driving courses via court disposition, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 7145: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

HB 7145 modifies firearm storage laws by adding "Dillon's Law" to the section title (a procedural change), while establishing new safe storage requirements. It requires firearms to be stored in locked containers or secured with tamper-resistant locks to prevent access by children or prohibited persons (e.g., those banned from owning guns by law). Violations result in escalating penalties: first offenses incur fines up to $250, second offenses up to $1,000, and third offenses may lead to up to six months in jail or a $500 fine. Criminal storage charges apply if a child or prohibited person accesses the firearm and causes injury or uses it in a crime, with enhanced penalties for such outcomes. The law explicitly excludes cases where firearms are locked, being carried lawfully, or accessed during lawful self-defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates safe firearm storage to prevent access by children/prohibited persons, reducing gun violence and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of public safety.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8064: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION

Provides that violations of § 11-37.1-10 relating to failing to register as a sex offender are subject to the duration and frequency of registrations pursuant to § 11-37.1-4.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnforces sex offender registration compliance under existing rules, strengthening community notification protocols within criminal justice framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8086: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault, especially for minors, to allow more time for victims to report and seek justice. Aligns with criminal justice reform by improving victim access to the system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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