Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2159: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- PAROLE

Requires one elector of the parole board to be a person directly impacted by the criminal justice system who has completed the probation/parole process three (3) or more years prior to selection with a professional background in certain enumerated areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires parole board member with lived experience and professional background, promoting rehabilitation-focused decisions and systemic reform in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits double prosecution after acquittal in another jurisdiction, protecting defendant rights under double jeopardy principles90% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2045: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- PROTECT OUR COURTS ACT

Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects court access and civil rights by prohibiting civil arrest without warrant, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7208: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND DATA PRIVACY ACT

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information and other identifying information of subscribers and customers, except in specified circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to obtain warrants for electronic data, protecting privacy rights and enhancing accountability in criminal procedure.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for law enforcement access to electronic data, strengthening privacy protections per bill's core mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2288: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

SB 2288 allows probationers serving one year or more to earn time off their probation for compliance with court conditions, but excludes those serving probation for specific offenses including murder, sexual assault, and driving under the influence causing death. Probationers without violations can earn up to 10 days per month off their sentence, with credits calculated after completing any incarceration. Violations of probation conditions stop credit accumulation and may result in the loss of previously earned credits. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows probationers to earn sentence reduction for compliance, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism while excluding only severe offenses.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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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

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2156: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- BURGLARY AND BREAKING AND ENTERING

Adds a rebuttable defense if any person shall die or sustain a personal injury while committing robbery of the owner, lessor, or occupant of a motor vehicle and that the owner or occupant of the vehicle acted in self-defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds self-defense rebuttable defense for vehicle robbery victims, protecting civil rights in criminal justice context90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7353: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY-- POLICE RELATIONSHIP ACT OF 2015

HB 7353 amends Rhode Island's 2015 Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act to require police departments to collect detailed data during traffic stops (including officer-perceived race/ethnicity, stop reasons, and outcomes) and submit it monthly to the Department of Transportation's Office of Highway Safety. It mandates an annual external study analyzing this data for racial disparities in traffic stops and searches, to be conducted by a qualified independent agency chosen by the Office of Highway Safety. The study's findings, along with quarterly public summary reports showing racial and demographic breakdowns of stops, must be released annually. This directly affects all Rhode Island municipal police departments and the state police, requiring them to implement new data collection and reporting procedures. The law aims to provide transparent, data-driven insights into policing practices without speculating on outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates data collection on race/ethnicity during traffic stops and annual studies to analyze racial disparities, enhancing police accountability and addressing civil rights concerns in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement eligibility for non-violent felons after 10-year clean record, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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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

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking