Criminal Justice (Courts)

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2982: 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 promotes rehabilitation for juvenile offenders through driving courses, aligning with criminal justice reform goals and reducing recidivism.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables juvenile rehabilitation through driving courses, enhancing driver education and safety programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Driver Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2941: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- RESTRAINT OF JUVENILES

Limits use of restraints on juveniles in transport and court proceedings to safety or escape risks, requires least restrictive methods, and mandates reporting on when and why restraints were used.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits juvenile restraints and requires reporting, promoting civil rights and reducing excessive force in juvenile justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 3109: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- COUNTY GRAND JURIES

This bill allows county and statewide grand juries in Rhode Island to issue public reports on matters involving code of ethics violations or other public concerns, provided at least twelve jurors agree to the report. The legislation establishes a review process where the superior court examines each report to ensure it is based on evidence, gives named individuals a chance to respond, and removes confidential or prejudicial information before making it public. Named individuals in the reports can appeal the decision to release them to the state supreme court, and the court may seal reports if they could interfere with ongoing criminal cases. The changes apply to both county and statewide grand juries, which will now have the authority to investigate and publish findings beyond traditional indictments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances transparency and accountability in grand jury proceedings by allowing public reports on ethics violations, strengthening oversight mechanisms in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 2947: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- JUDICIAL SELECTION

Requires the JNC to establish standardized merit-based selection process and that applications be evaluated according to uniform, job-related criteria adopted in advance and published on the commission's website.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes merit-based judicial selection with uniform criteria, enhancing accountability and integrity in the court system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 8247: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

This bill amends Rhode Island law to rename drug court as recovery court and establish a new position for a drug recovery court magistrate within the superior court. The magistrate would be appointed by the presiding justice with senate approval, serve ten-year terms, and preside over adult offenders charged with non-violent drug-related offenses who are deemed drug-addicted. Key provisions include the magistrate's authority to enforce program conditions, impose incarceration for violations, and make final decisions on program admission and participant eligibility based on specific criteria. The bill also grants the magistrate powers to handle matters related to sexual offender registration and allows for appeals of magistrate orders to a superior court justice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation by renaming drug court to recovery court and establishing specialized magistrates for non-violent drug offenders, indicating support for criminal justice reform and rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes drug recovery court magistrate to support addiction treatment programs, expanding access to specialized healthcare services for non-violent drug offenders.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Judges Substance Abuse

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 3168: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS

This bill allows judges to issue search warrants electronically for specific driving under the influence offenses, including those resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It permits law enforcement officers to submit complaints and affidavits via electronic means, with judicial officers required to sign and transmit the warrant documents electronically. The law maintains that electronic warrants can only be issued for the listed DUI-related crimes and must still follow standard procedures for oath administration and documentation. Additionally, the bill requires that all warrants, whether executed or not, be returned to the district court within 14 days of issuance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modernizes search warrant procedures for DUI cases, improving efficiency while maintaining standard procedures, which strengthens criminal justice operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 3038: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS

Requires a court considering evidence for the issuance of a temporary emergency protective order to cause the respondent to be taken into protective custody by law enforcement and sent to an emergency room of any hospital, pursuant to § 40.1-5-7.1.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protective custody procedures for high-risk individuals, enhancing public safety and law enforcement protocols within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates emergency protective custody and hospital ER access for high-risk individuals, ensuring immediate medical evaluation and care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Hospitals

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2731: AN ACT RELATED TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCING RECONSIDERATION ACT

Allows eligible individuals serving sentences of imprisonment to seek sentence reductions from the superior court, individuals serving life without parole or minimum mandatory sentences pursuant to law, would not be eligible for such relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows eligible inmates to seek sentence reductions, promoting criminal justice reform by enabling court reconsideration of sentences while excluding life without parole and mandatory minimums.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7652: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCE AND EXECUTION

Requires sentencing court to consider whether defendant is parent of child, or caregiver of elderly, disabled or terminally ill person whose well-being would be adversely affected by the person's incarceration and if so, shall impose a non-jail sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires non-jail sentences when defendant is primary caregiver, reducing incarceration for family-dependent cases - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2614: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES -- VIOLATIONS

SB 2614 repeals a law that allowed license suspensions for unpaid traffic fines. It removes the provision requiring the motor vehicle division to suspend driving privileges when a person fails to pay fines or costs within the court-imposed timeframe, including the requirement for an ability-to-pay hearing. This bill directly affects drivers who previously faced license suspension solely due to unpaid traffic violations. The change would end this specific enforcement mechanism, though courts could still pursue other remedies for unpaid fines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill repeals license suspension for unpaid traffic fines, reducing punitive measures for low-income individuals and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to avoid criminalizing poverty.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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