Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7201: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Establishes the commercial sex buyer’s accountability program which consists of an instructional program on prostitution and human trafficking schemes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates educational program for sex buyers targeting human trafficking, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing root causes of commercial exploitation rather than punitive measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2125: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Removes the mandatory certification for an individual 16 years or older who was found delinquent for having committed 2 offenses after the age of 16 which would render the person subject to an indictment if the person was an adult.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory adult indictment for juvenile offenders (16+ with 2 offenses), promoting rehabilitation-focused family court proceedings over punitive adult system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7037: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits handcuffing children twelve (12) or under at initial police contact unless needed for public safety or if the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police handcuffing of children under 12, protecting civil rights and advancing juvenile justice reform within law enforcement practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Policing

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7079: 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 JusticeEnables expungement of records for multiple offenses, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2157: 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 JusticeMakes law enforcement sexual misconduct with detainees a felony, enhancing police accountability in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2308: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- PAROLE

Provides that prisoners who committed offenses prior to age 18 and were sentenced as adults be eligible for parole after completing 15 yrs of their sentence. Would not lengthen parole eligibility should prisoner be eligible for parole earlier than 15 yrs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows juvenile offenders sentenced as adults parole eligibility after 15 years, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform by reducing excessive sentencing for youth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7134: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- THE RHODE ISLAND FIRST STEP ACT

Establishes Rhode Island First Step program requiring DOC to assist offenders with reintegration into society, counseling, medical care, education, early sentence termination or pre-release confinement for elderly and terminally ill offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes reintegration programs including counseling, education, and early release for vulnerable offenders, directly promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7280: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

Creates a 10 member bail task force to study the need of monetary conditions of bail and to consider other methods for ensuring an accused’s appearance in court, enhance public safety and honor the presumption of innocence and to file report by 1/1/2028.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates bail task force to study alternatives to monetary bail, aiming to honor presumption of innocence and enhance public safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7433: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS

HB 7433 requires law enforcement to obtain a person's consent or a valid search warrant before placing audio or video recording devices on their private property. This bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and guests by protecting their privacy from unauthorized surveillance on their premises. The key provision makes any audio or video evidence collected in violation of this rule inadmissible in criminal or civil court proceedings. The bill, currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee, would take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects privacy rights by requiring warrants for surveillance, making violations inadmissible - enhances police accountability and civil rights in criminal procedure.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects data privacy by requiring warrants for surveillance devices, making unauthorized recordings inadmissible in court, aligning with privacy protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2399: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Decriminalizes certain commercial sexual activity. It would also include human trafficking as a racketeering activity and would allow expungements of certain convictions in § 11-34.1 after one year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes specific offenses, enables expungements, and classifies trafficking as racketeering - reduces unnecessary convictions and aligns with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track