Criminal Justice

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

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2302: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE

SB 2302 makes it a minor criminal offense (misdemeanor) to knowingly file a false complaint about misconduct involving law enforcement, public safety personnel, or hospital staff. The bill specifically targets individuals who falsely report misconduct to authorities with the intent of causing harm, such as falsely accusing an officer of wrongdoing. Penalties include up to one year in jail, a $500 fine, and mandatory compensation to the falsely accused person for damages. This bill directly affects anyone who files such false reports, aiming to prevent misuse of complaint systems. The bill was introduced in the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 23, 2026, and is pending further action.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes false complaints against law enforcement, potentially deterring legitimate reports and weakening accountability oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 7439: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ DUE PROCESS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY ACT -- ICE OUT ACT

Prohibits law enforcement agencies from hiring individuals who was hired as a sworn officer of the US Immigration and Customs enforcement Agency on or after January 20, 2025 and would apply prospectively to an individual hired on or after October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits hiring ICE officers to enhance law enforcement accountability and transparency, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits state hiring of ICE officers, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7133: AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION

Permits the family court to award possession of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows pet custody in domestic abuse restraining orders, directly supporting victim safety and access to justice within criminal justice reform framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2307: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- BURGLARY AND BREAKING AND ENTERING

SB 2307 creates a legal presumption that property owners, tenants, or occupants acted in justified self-defense if a person dies or is injured while committing a violent crime (like burglary or assault) on their property. It applies when the property owner reasonably believed the intruder posed an imminent threat of serious harm or death to themselves or others lawfully present. The law presumes self-defense without requiring the owner to retreat, and this presumption can be challenged ("rebutted") in court. It directly affects property owners facing criminal or civil cases involving violent offenders injured or killed during crimes committed on their premises. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal presumption for self-defense in property crimes, protecting defendant rights under criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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