Criminal Justice (Courts)

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 8547: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

This bill creates a dedicated calendar within the Rhode Island Superior Court specifically for handling felony domestic violence cases. The new system prioritizes scheduling these cases to ensure faster processing and consistent judicial oversight, which includes cases involving weapons or violations of protective orders. By assigning specific personnel to this calendar, the legislation aims to improve victim safety and the efficient administration of justice. The changes apply only to felony-level domestic violence matters and take effect immediately upon passing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a dedicated calendar for felony domestic violence to improve victim safety and judicial oversight, directly strengthening criminal justice administration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3290: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

This bill creates a dedicated domestic violence calendar within the Rhode Island Superior Court specifically for handling felony domestic violence cases. The new system would prioritize scheduling these cases and assign them to specific personnel to ensure consistent judicial oversight and better enforcement of protective orders. It applies to serious crimes involving domestic violence, violations of no-contact orders, and weapon-related offenses connected to such matters. The legislation aims to improve public safety and court efficiency by centralizing the processing of these specific criminal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by creating a specialized calendar for domestic violence cases to improve case handling and protective order enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8384: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES -- CASEY'S LAW

HB 8384 introduces "Casey's Law," which allows judges to impose stricter penalties on drivers convicted of misdemeanors or felonies if they are found to have acted out of "road rage." The bill defines road rage as intentionally aggressive, harassing, or dangerous behavior directed at other drivers or passengers on public roads. If a court determines beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime resulted from such behavior, the driver faces additional consequences, including mandatory fines, potential license suspension, and longer prison terms for felony offenses. All fines collected under this new provision must be placed into a dedicated fund to support public awareness campaigns about safe driving. This law does not create a new crime but rather adds enhanced sentencing options for existing offenses motivated by road rage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes stricter penalties and mandatory fines for road rage, expanding criminalization and limiting judicial discretion.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by imposing stricter penalties for road rage, protecting drivers and passengers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 3217: AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION

Permits the family court to award possession of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens domestic abuse prevention by empowering courts to award pets to victims, a key component of victim safety and justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 2940: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- FAMILY COURT

Establishes full-time juvenile hearing board coordinator to provide support and assistance to municipal juvenile hearing boards across the state. Any juvenile charged with a misdemeanor and who is a first offender, shall be referred to the hearing board.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes full-time juvenile hearing board coordinator to support municipal boards and mandates referral of first-time misdemeanor juvenile offenders, indicating support for juvenile justice reform and rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 3104: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

This bill creates a new Bureau of Public Protection within Rhode Island's Department of Attorney General, led by an assistant attorney general and staffed with specialized advocates for consumer protection, healthcare, civil rights, environmental issues, and antitrust enforcement. The bureau will have the authority to investigate and seek court orders against businesses or government entities engaged in repeated illegal acts or persistent illegality, allowing the attorney general to request injunctions, restitution, damages, and penalties on behalf of the state. The law defines illegal conduct as violations of federal or state civil law and explicitly excludes criminal law enforcement from this authority. Additionally, the attorney general may issue civil investigative demands to gather facts before filing applications, and the department must submit an annual report to state legislators detailing the bureau's activities and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates Bureau of Public Protection with civil rights enforcement, strengthening oversight and protecting rights within criminal justice framework.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3036: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows expungement for multiple convictions, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to reentry, key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 3103: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

This bill updates Rhode Island's criminal record expungement laws to align with a new 10-year waiting period specifically for driving under the influence (DUI) charges. It allows eligible individuals to petition courts to seal their criminal records after meeting specific time requirements, with misdemeanors generally becoming eligible after five years and felonies or certain DUI offenses after ten years. The legislation maintains restrictions by excluding violent crimes from expungement and requires petitioners to have paid all court fees and demonstrated good moral character. Additionally, it requires courts to notify relevant law enforcement agencies when expungement orders are granted and includes provisions for expunging records of offenses that have since been decriminalized.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands expungement eligibility for DUI offenses, promoting criminal justice reform and rehabilitation by allowing eligible individuals to clear records after specific waiting periods.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2938: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- JUDICIAL SELECTION

Permits RI Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with RI Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint members of JNC and requires judicial candidates to disclose political donations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes racial and ethnic fairness in judicial selection and requires political donation disclosure, enhancing transparency and equity in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3099: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

This bill amends Rhode Island law to rename drug court programs as recovery court, expanding eligibility to include non-violent offenses beyond just drug-related charges. The legislation creates a new position of drug recovery court magistrate within the superior court, who will preside over adult recovery court programs that combine court authority with therapeutic treatment plans for drug-addicted defendants. Key provisions include establishing a ten-year appointment term for magistrates, defining screening criteria for program admission, and granting magistrates the power to impose incarceration for violations of court conditions. The bill also clarifies that participants must sign contracts outlining program expectations and allows for appeals of magistrate orders to a superior court justice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands drug court to recovery court, broadening eligibility and adding therapeutic treatment, which aligns with rehabilitation and criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands drug court programs to recovery court, increasing access to therapeutic treatment plans for drug-addicted defendants, which supports mental health and healthcare services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Judges Substance Abuse