Criminal Justice (Courts)

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7360: 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 for attendees, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by preventing unwarranted arrests during proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2137: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits handcuffing children twelve (12) or under at initial police contact unless needed for public safety or if the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits handcuffing children under 12 at initial contact, protecting minors' rights and enhancing police accountability - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Policing

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7205: 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 via court reconsideration, promoting reform by reducing unnecessary prison terms while excluding life without parole cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2125: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Removes the mandatory certification for an individual 16 years or older who was found delinquent for having committed 2 offenses after the age of 16 which would render the person subject to an indictment if the person was an adult.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory adult indictment for juvenile offenders (16+ with 2 offenses), promoting rehabilitation-focused family court proceedings over punitive adult system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7037: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits handcuffing children twelve (12) or under at initial police contact unless needed for public safety or if the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police handcuffing of children under 12, protecting civil rights and advancing juvenile justice reform within law enforcement practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Policing

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7079: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of records for multiple offenses, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7280: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

Creates a 10 member bail task force to study the need of monetary conditions of bail and to consider other methods for ensuring an accused’s appearance in court, enhance public safety and honor the presumption of innocence and to file report by 1/1/2028.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates bail task force to study alternatives to monetary bail, aiming to honor presumption of innocence and enhance public safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7433: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS

HB 7433 requires law enforcement to obtain a person's consent or a valid search warrant before placing audio or video recording devices on their private property. This bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and guests by protecting their privacy from unauthorized surveillance on their premises. The key provision makes any audio or video evidence collected in violation of this rule inadmissible in criminal or civil court proceedings. The bill, currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee, would take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects privacy rights by requiring warrants for surveillance, making violations inadmissible - enhances police accountability and civil rights in criminal procedure.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects data privacy by requiring warrants for surveillance devices, making unauthorized recordings inadmissible in court, aligning with privacy protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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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

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7281: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7281 reduces the waiting period for expunging criminal records. It shortens the time to 3 years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and 5 years for felonies or multiple misdemeanors (down from 5 and 10 years, respectively). The bill applies to people with eligible non-violent convictions who have paid all court fees and fines. Violent crime convictions and certain offenses under specific statutes remain ineligible for expungement. The changes take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces expungement waiting periods for non-violent offenses, advancing criminal justice reform by facilitating record clearance and reducing barriers to reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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