Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 8073: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- UNLAWFUL SALE OF PROHIBITED FIREARMS

HB 8073 restricts the possession of prohibited firearms, making it a criminal offense. It directly affects individuals who possess firearms classified as "prohibited" under the bill's definition. The key provision prohibits possessing such firearms without legal authorization, with penalties for violations. This bill, introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, focuses on limiting access to specific firearms through criminal penalties. The abstract does not specify the exact firearm types or additional enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for prohibited firearm possession, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2478: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- CHILDREN

Criminalizes the knowing and intentional failure of a physician, nurse, or other licensed medical person to provide reasonable medical care and treatment to an infant born alive as a felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes medical negligence in infant care, expanding criminalization of non-criminal conduct under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2599: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- RAILROAD, STEAMBOAT, AND BRIDGE POLICE

Provides any police report involving a railroad fatality and all communications between railroad employees not be made public. Additionally, it makes a violation of this section a misdemeanor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts public access to railroad fatality reports and employee communications, limiting transparency in law enforcement investigations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7820: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7820 allows individuals convicted of crimes 40 or more years ago to petition courts to clear their criminal records, provided they have no recent charges or convictions and have paid all court fees. The bill creates a new eligibility window (40 years post-conviction) for expungement, excluding violent crimes like murder, sexual assault, and certain robberies or child abuse offenses. This change directly affects older individuals with clean records for decades, removing barriers to employment and housing while requiring court approval based on rehabilitation and public safety considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent old records to remove employment barriers, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes criminal record barriers for older individuals, directly aiding employment access and worker reintegration per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 8056: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- CHILDREN

Requires courts and bail commissioners to issue no contact orders against any person arrested for cruelty or neglect of a child, child abuse or child endangerment and to issue orders upon any finding of guilty. Violations of order would be a misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates no contact orders for child abuse offenses, strengthening victim protection protocols in criminal justice system without reducing defendant rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2733: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST

SB 2733 prohibits individuals in state prison or jail custody from using force or weapons to resist lawful requests or directives from correctional staff. It directly affects incarcerated people by making such resistance a violation of the law. The bill establishes a clear rule that limits the use of force by people in correctional facilities during routine operations, such as transfers or medical requests. This policy change aims to enhance safety for staff and other inmates by clarifying expectations during lawful interactions. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies inmate conduct to enhance staff/inmate safety during facility operations, directly strengthening correctional facility security protocols within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2554: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE MEDICAID REENTRY ACT

Requires that Medicaid enrollment be maintained or provided to all inmates in the first 30 days of incarceration at the adult correctional institutions within the department of corrections and the last 30 days of incarceration when possible.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures Medicaid access during incarceration/reentry, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid enrollment continuity for inmates during incarceration, ensuring health coverage access per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2730: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits a peace officer, as defined in § 12-7-21, from employing threats, physical harm, deprivation, deception, coercion, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during the custodial interrogation of a juvenile.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits coercive interrogation tactics against juveniles, enhancing police accountability and protecting youth rights in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 8156: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Creates the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivor Services Fund in Rhode Island to provide state funding for nonprofit organizations that deliver direct services to survivors of domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates state fund for domestic violence survivor services, directly supporting victim protection and reform within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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