Criminal Justice (Courts)

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2618: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS

Administratively seals, upon request of the defendant following the conclusion of the matter in district court, individual counts of any criminal complaints dismissed pursuant to Rule 48(a) that were filed on or after October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSeals dismissed charges to reduce collateral consequences, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing barriers for individuals with dismissed cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7818: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits family court from detaining or committing any youth, 12 years or younger, to training school, for any offense other than murder, first degree sexual assault, or an attempt to commit such offenses there is no other reasonable placement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts juvenile detention for minors under 12 for non-severe offenses, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing unnecessary incarceration and protecting youth rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime Tags Children

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7647: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT -- JUVENILE RECORDS

HB 7647 allows law enforcement to access juvenile criminal records during firearm background checks under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This affects juveniles who were processed through family court but not yet turned 21, as their sealed records can now be reviewed for gun purchases. The bill adds a specific exception to existing sealing rules (Section 14-1-64(c)), permitting this access until the individual reaches age 21. It does not change general sealing procedures for juvenile records or public access to other court documents. The policy change directly impacts firearm background checks for young adults who had prior juvenile court involvement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables law enforcement access to juvenile records for firearm background checks, strengthening NICS enforcement under criminal justice procedures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7558: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES -- VIOLATIONS

HB 7558 repeals a law that allowed driver's licenses to be suspended for failure to pay traffic fines or court costs. Currently, drivers who didn't pay fines within court deadlines could face license suspension, though they could request a hearing to show financial hardship. This bill removes that suspension mechanism entirely, meaning unpaid traffic fines will no longer result in license loss. The change directly affects drivers with outstanding traffic violations by eliminating a specific penalty for non-payment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves license suspension for unpaid traffic fines, reducing punitive measures against low-income drivers and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2603: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION

Grants an affirmative defense for certain privileged communications, including communications made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeGrants defense for privileged communications in sexual assault/harassment cases, protecting victim rights and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8119: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- WARRANTLESS PURCHASES OF PERSONAL DATA -- THE 4TH AMENDMENT IS NOT FOR SALE ACT

HB 8119 prohibits state law enforcement agencies and other entities from purchasing personal data without a warrant for any criminal, civil, or investigatory activity. It directly affects government agencies that might otherwise buy location records, browsing history, or other sensitive personal information from third-party data brokers. The bill’s key provision requires a court-issued warrant before any agency can obtain such data, aligning with Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. This applies to all enforcement actions, including investigations into crimes or civil matters, without exception.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless law enforcement data purchases, strengthening Fourth Amendment protections and civil privacy rights in criminal investigations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits warrantless purchase of personal data by government, requiring court warrants to strengthen Fourth Amendment protections against unwarranted data access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7820: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7820 allows individuals convicted of crimes 40 or more years ago to petition courts to clear their criminal records, provided they have no recent charges or convictions and have paid all court fees. The bill creates a new eligibility window (40 years post-conviction) for expungement, excluding violent crimes like murder, sexual assault, and certain robberies or child abuse offenses. This change directly affects older individuals with clean records for decades, removing barriers to employment and housing while requiring court approval based on rehabilitation and public safety considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent old records to remove employment barriers, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes criminal record barriers for older individuals, directly aiding employment access and worker reintegration per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2730: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits a peace officer, as defined in § 12-7-21, from employing threats, physical harm, deprivation, deception, coercion, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during the custodial interrogation of a juvenile.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits coercive interrogation tactics against juveniles, enhancing police accountability and protecting youth rights in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 8063: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT

Requires that court sentencing a person for first degree sexual assault of first degree child molestation, have the approval of the victim before imposing any negotiated sentence upon the offender.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim approval for negotiated sentences in sexual assault cases, protecting victim rights and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Victims' Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8079: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- JURY LISTS

HB 8079 amends jury qualification laws to include individuals receiving public assistance benefits in the pool of eligible jurors. This change directly affects people currently excluded from jury service due to their receipt of public assistance, expanding who can be summoned for jury duty. The bill modifies statutory language to remove barriers preventing these individuals from being listed on jury rosters. It does not alter other eligibility requirements or create new exemptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves exclusion of public assistance recipients from jury service, promoting fair representation in courts and aligning with civil rights in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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