Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7648: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT

Requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnhances reporting forms for sexual assault cases, improving data accuracy and accountability in criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 2559: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,000,000 TO RHODE ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES, INC.

This resolution appropriates $3,000,000 from the state treasury for fiscal year 2026-2027 to Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. (RILS), a nonprofit providing legal aid to vulnerable Rhode Islanders. The funding directly supports RILS’s work assisting low-income residents, domestic violence victims, veterans, and seniors with critical issues like housing, food security, family safety, and employment rights. The appropriation allows RILS to maintain its statewide services, which historically handle thousands of cases annually to help clients achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $3M to fund legal aid for vulnerable populations, directly supporting essential public services through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds legal aid for vulnerable populations facing justice-related issues like domestic violence and housing, directly supporting access to fair representation and civil rights within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds legal aid for housing issues affecting low-income residents, directly supporting housing access and tenant rights through RILS services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds legal aid provider assisting with employment rights, directly supporting workers' access to legal help for job-related issues.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill funds RILS, which explicitly assists veterans with legal aid for housing, employment, and family safety issues as part of its core services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 8056: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- CHILDREN

Requires courts and bail commissioners to issue no contact orders against any person arrested for cruelty or neglect of a child, child abuse or child endangerment and to issue orders upon any finding of guilty. Violations of order would be a misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates no contact orders for child abuse offenses, strengthening victim protection protocols in criminal justice system without reducing defendant rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 8156: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Creates the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivor Services Fund in Rhode Island to provide state funding for nonprofit organizations that deliver direct services to survivors of domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates state fund for domestic violence survivor services, directly supporting victim protection and reform within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7653: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Allows for the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault reporting forms by law enforcement agencies, enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms, and clarifies that the reporting forms should be submitted monthly.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnhances domestic violence reporting procedures via electronic filing and detailed forms, improving law enforcement response to a key criminal justice issue.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Violent Crime

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2602: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS IN DISTRICT COURTS

SB 2602 amends Section 12-10-12 to expand eligibility for placing misdemeanor criminal complaints "on file" in district courts. It allows defendants previously convicted of a felony or facing a private complaint to qualify for this process, which avoids formal prosecution. Key provisions require defendants to maintain good behavior, pay court fees, and meet restitution conditions; violations may lead to case revival or sanctions. For domestic violence cases, complaints automatically expire after three years without new charges, leading to expungement without a court motion. This directly affects misdemeanor defendants with prior felony records, offering a path to avoid criminal convictions under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands diversion for misdemeanor cases by allowing prior felony convicts to avoid prosecution with good behavior, restitution, and fee payment - aligns with reform goals to reduce recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

Track

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

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2290: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

SB 2290 requires courts to release most people arrested for misdemeanors without financial conditions (like cash bail), unless the case involves domestic violence or the court finds a risk the person will skip court or threaten witnesses. It mandates the Department of Corrections to gather background information - including employment, community ties, and criminal history - to help courts decide on non-financial release conditions. Courts may then impose conditions like regular check-ins or community supervision to ensure court appearances and public safety. The bill applies only to misdemeanor cases and does not affect felony charges or existing procedures for those exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates cash bail for most misdemeanors, promoting pretrial release without financial barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2144: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Permits the court to determine the number of hours a person would have to complete of a batters intervention program and gives the court discretion as to whether that person would be personally financially responsible for the costs thereof.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePermits court discretion in batter's intervention program hours/costs, promoting rehabilitation access and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7194: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

HB 7194 expands the definition of domestic violence to include animal cruelty committed by a family or household member against another household member. It specifically adds three offenses to the list: unnecessary cruelty to an animal (§ 4-1-3), malicious injury or killing of an animal (§ 4-1-5), and abandonment of an animal (§ 4-1-26). This change directly affects victims who share household animals with an abuser and allows courts to address animal cruelty as part of domestic violence cases. The bill amends the Domestic Violence Prevention Act to explicitly include these animal-related offenses under the same legal framework as other domestic violence crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence protections to include animal cruelty, enabling courts to address abuse patterns comprehensively and strengthen victim safety measures within criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

Track