Criminal Justice

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

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 8140: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LIMITATIONS ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION

Bars state and local police from joining federal immigration enforcement programs, limits holding people on detainer without judicial warrants, and requires tracking and reporting of requests.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBars police from federal immigration cooperation, limits detainers without warrants, enhances oversight aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly bars state/local police from federal immigration enforcement cooperation and limits detainers without warrants, directly limiting enforcement cooperation as per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7549: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ASSAULTS

HB 7549 makes assaulting a sports official (such as an umpire, referee, or coach) during their duties a felony, directly affecting anyone who commits such violence at any athletic event - from school games to professional leagues. The bill establishes two penalty tiers: a standard assault carries up to 3 years in prison or a $3,000 fine, while assault causing serious bodily injury (like permanent disfigurement or life-threatening harm) results in 3-20 years in prison or a $10,000 fine. It also mandates that offenders pay restitution to victims or complete up to 500 hours of community service, in addition to any fines or prison time. This law applies to assaults occurring before, during, or after any sporting event.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting sports officials, establishing felony charges with longer prison terms, expanding criminalization of violence at athletic events.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7762: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING CREDIT REPORTS ACT

Establishes the fair chance in housing credit reports act to provide standards for which a credit report can be used in considering a rental application.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes housing access for individuals with criminal records, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism through stable housing85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes standards for credit report use in rental applications to prevent housing discrimination, directly supporting tenant protections and fair access to housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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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

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 8067: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

HB 8067 would prevent people with prior felony convictions from buying or owning firearms. This bill directly affects individuals who have been convicted of a felony offense, disqualifying them from firearm transactions. The key provision creates a new legal barrier for these individuals, requiring them to be excluded from purchasing or possessing firearms under state law. The bill, introduced on February 27, 2026, proposes this restriction as a change to existing criminal offense regulations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm access for felons to enhance public safety, reducing recidivism risk per common criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8065: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION

Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by imposing felony penalties for sex offenders living near schools, increasing restrictions rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7754: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Deletes the provision permitting out of state residents to obtain concealed carry permits in this state solely based on their rights in other states. It also corrects a minor typographical error.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts out-of-state concealed carry permits, directly limiting weapons regulation in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2719: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- HOMICIDE

SB 2719 prohibits life imprisonment without parole for individuals aged 21 or younger convicted of homicide. It directly affects young adults (21 and under) sentenced for homicide crimes, requiring courts to consider alternative sentencing options instead. The bill mandates that any homicide conviction involving a defendant under 21 cannot result in a life sentence without parole. This pending legislation, introduced on February 27, 2026, is currently under review in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits life without parole for under-21 homicide offenders, mandating alternative sentencing - directly advances criminal justice reform by reducing harsh sentences for youth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7802: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Adds probation officer and parole officer to the list of public safety employees that are entitled to their full salary if they are injured and become disabled as a result of performance of their job duties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state budget for public safety salaries, increasing government spending on essential personnel through mandatory full salary coverage for injured officers.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds probation/parole officers to public safety employee salary protection, supporting law enforcement personnel welfare within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands full salary protection to probation/parole officers injured on duty, strengthening income security for public safety workers under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Tags Public Safety

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