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 · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2398: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE

SB 2398 upgrades penalties for filing false police reports about serious crimes. It makes it a felony to falsely report a crime that carries a 5- to 20-year prison sentence (with 1-5 years in prison for conviction) or a 20+ year sentence (with 5-20 years in prison). The bill directly affects individuals who knowingly submit false reports about violent or severe offenses, such as aggravated assault or homicide. It replaces the current misdemeanor penalty with stricter felony charges based on the severity of the underlying crime falsely reported.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for false reporting of serious crimes, expanding criminalization and imposing harsher sentences, aligning with OPPOSE indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2402: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

SB 2402 increases penalties for drivers convicted of causing death or serious injury through reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs. The bill raises maximum prison sentences (e.g., from 10 to 20 years for causing death while driving recklessly), fines (e.g., from $10,000 to $20,000 for first-time DUI causing death), and license suspension periods. It also adds requirements for alcohol/drug treatment programs and longer financial responsibility proof before license reinstatement. This bill directly affects drivers convicted under sections 31-27-1, 31-27-1.1, 31-27-2.2, and 31-27-2.6 of the state’s motor vehicle laws. The bill is currently in committee (introduced January 30, 2026) and has not yet passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases prison sentences and fines for DUI causing death, strengthening punitive measures rather than advancing reform or rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for reckless driving/DUI causing death/injury, directly enhancing road safety standards under transportation regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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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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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 2285: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Increases sentences for carrying a stolen firearm when committing a crime of violence and for possessing a stolen firearm. Requires that a person convicted of these offenses serve a period of time in which they would not be eligible for parole/ probation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases sentences for weapon offenses and mandates no parole/probation eligibility, directly expanding mandatory sentencing and restricting defendant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Probation & Parole

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2310: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT REPORTS -- THE MATTHEW O'GARA ACT OF 2026

Increases the penalties for a first offense of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death to a minimum 10 years in incarceration, a minimum of $10,000 and a minimum license revocation of 10 years.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentence (10 years) for hit-and-run causing death, opposing reform by strengthening punitive sentencing without rehabilitation focus.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for hit-and-run causing death, enhancing road safety standards per transportation safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2292: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISARMING A PEACE OFFICER

Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes disarming peace officers, expanding criminalization and opposing reform efforts by strengthening law enforcement authority over civilians.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2296: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT

SB 2296 criminalizes intentionally obstructing traffic on federal or state highways by loitering (e.g., standing, sitting, kneeling) in ways that could interfere with vehicle movement. It sets mandatory prison sentences: 1-3 years for a first offense (with 60 days mandatory), 3-5 years for a second, 5-10 years for a third, and 5-30 years if death results. The law explicitly excludes lawful picketing or demonstrations related to labor disputes from this offense. It affects anyone who obstructs highway traffic in the specified manner, with penalties starting at one year in prison.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison sentences for traffic obstruction, expanding criminalization without reform elements or exceptions for non-violent conduct.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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