Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 7547: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

HB 7547 expands the state's crime victim compensation program to allow victims of stalking to recover costs for relocation or home modifications (like security upgrades) as emergency expenses. It directly affects stalking victims who need immediate safety measures after an incident. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these expenses under Section 12-25-21(7), while removing larceny and certain other offenses from compensable categories. This change takes effect upon passage, making these specific costs eligible for reimbursement through the existing program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim compensation for stalking victims' safety expenses, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect victims' rights and enhance support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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 · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2622: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Increases the minimum wage amount for any person committed to the adult correctional institution from $3.00 to $5.00 a day for every day the person shall labor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases inmate labor wages from $3 to $5/day, promoting fair compensation and rehabilitation within corrections, aligning with reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wage for incarcerated workers from $3 to $5/day, directly advancing wage protection in labor policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Minimum Wage

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8064: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION

Provides that violations of § 11-37.1-10 relating to failing to register as a sex offender are subject to the duration and frequency of registrations pursuant to § 11-37.1-4.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnforces sex offender registration compliance under existing rules, strengthening community notification protocols within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 2723: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

This bill expands domestic violence protections by including animal cruelty offenses committed by family or household members against others. It directly affects victims of domestic violence who also have pets, as harming pets will now be classified as part of domestic violence under criminal procedure laws. The key mechanism adds "animal cruelty" to the list of offenses covered under domestic violence statutes, requiring courts to consider such acts when evaluating protection orders or criminal charges. This change ensures that abusers targeting pets as a form of control are held accountable under existing domestic violence legal frameworks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence protections to include animal cruelty, strengthening victim safeguards under criminal procedure laws per bill's explicit language.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Apr 25, 2026

HB 8154: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- NON-CHARITABLE BINGO

HB 8154 legalizes non-charitable bingo operations under the state lottery division by creating a new legal framework. It directly affects the state lottery agency, which would now manage and regulate these games, replacing previous restrictions that treated non-charity bingo as a criminal offense. The bill establishes specific rules for licensing, operations, and oversight within the lottery division’s authority. This changes the law to permit state-run non-charity bingo as a regulated activity, distinct from traditional charity-based bingo.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes non-charitable bingo by removing criminal penalties and regulating under lottery division, reducing unnecessary criminalization per criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 8085: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 8085 would allow people convicted of petty misdemeanors to have their criminal records permanently removed from public access one year after completing their sentence. This bill directly affects individuals with minor criminal convictions who currently face barriers to employment or housing due to these records. The key provision lowers the waiting period for expungement from longer terms (which may have existed under prior law) to just one year post-sentence. If passed, it would make the expungement process more accessible for this specific group of offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of petty misdemeanor records after 1 year, reducing employment/housing barriers and advancing criminal justice reform by lowering recidivism.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves criminal record barriers to housing access, aiding tenant eligibility and reducing housing discrimination barriers for those with petty misdemeanor convictions.80% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7585: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

HB 7585 expands eligibility for the state's crime victim compensation program to include hit-and-run victims who suffer serious bodily injury. The bill amends the existing law to explicitly add "failure to stop by a driver in circumstances which result in serious bodily injury or death" as a qualifying offense under the program. This change directly affects victims of hit-and-run collisions where the driver flees the scene and causes serious injury, allowing them to seek financial compensation through the current program. The policy change modifies the list of qualifying offenses without creating new funding or altering program administration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim compensation eligibility for hit-and-run victims, directly supporting crime victim rights within criminal justice system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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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