Criminal Justice

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

Track

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

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7649: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- UNIFORM ACT ON PREVENTION OF AND REMEDIES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Requires that all monies received from the payment of fines under the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking be deposited into the into the violent crimes indemnity account within the general fund.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects trafficking fines to violent crimes fund, supporting victim services and criminal justice system funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7555: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURES -- IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS

Provides that individual counts of a district court criminal complaint dismissed pursuant to Rule 48(a) would be sealed administratively by the court clerk upon the defendant’s request.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSeals dismissed criminal charges to protect defendants' rights and reduce collateral consequences, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

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

Track

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

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7753: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISARMING A PEACE OFFICER

Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes disarming peace officers, strengthening law enforcement safety and protection within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2591: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT

Limits how landlords use criminal history in rental decisions by delaying background checks until after a conditional offer has been made, restricting which records may be considered, banning discriminatory ads, and providing enforcement and penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits criminal history use in housing, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with reform goals to lower recidivism and protect civil rights.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits criminal history use in rentals, bans discriminatory ads, strengthens tenant protections against housing discrimination per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8116: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE BODY CAMERAS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACT

Requires correctional staff to wear and activate body cameras, set rules for recording and access, create an independent oversight board, mandate training and reporting, and establish a grant funded pilot program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires body cameras for correctional staff and independent oversight, enhancing accountability in correctional facilities per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

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

Track