Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 3217: AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION

Permits the family court to award possession of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens domestic abuse prevention by empowering courts to award pets to victims, a key component of victim safety and justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 3110: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

This bill prohibits individuals under 18 from possessing firearms in Rhode Island, with specific exceptions for supervised activities. The law allows minors to carry firearms only when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or supervising adult to approved camps, rifle ranges, or during lawful hunting, ROTC programs, ceremonial parades, competitive shooting, state militia activities, and basic firearms education programs. A "qualified adult" is defined as someone 21 or older who is legally permitted to possess and use the firearm. The legislation creates a general ban on minor firearm possession while outlining narrow, supervised circumstances where possession remains legal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts minor firearm access to enhance public safety and reduce potential criminal incidents, aligning with criminal justice protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2964: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Makes persons convicted of petty misdemeanors and convicted of simple possession of controlled substances, eligible to have their records expunged three years after completion of their sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands expungement eligibility for petty misdemeanors and drug possession, promoting criminal justice reform and reducing barriers to reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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 · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 8084: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Makes persons convicted of simple possession of controlled substances, eligible to have their records expunged three (3) years after imposition of their sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpungement of records for non-violent drug offenses reduces barriers to reintegration, aligning with reform goals to lower recidivism and improve rehabilitation opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2595: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- CHILDREN

Prohibits the distribution, transfer, or possession of any material that depicts a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and is obscene and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits child sexual abuse material, a core criminal justice measure that advances public safety and law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7133: AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION

Permits the family court to award possession of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows pet custody in domestic abuse restraining orders, directly supporting victim safety and access to justice within criminal justice reform framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2049: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Establishes a program within the adult correctional institution to permit medication assisted treatment approved by the FDA to be provided for the treatment of opioid use disorder to any incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in prisons, directly enhancing rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access for incarcerated individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7035: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

HB 7035 prohibits individuals from purchasing or taking possession of more than one firearm (defined as pistol, rifle, or shotgun) within any 30-day period. This directly affects most private firearm buyers, excluding specific exemptions like law enforcement officers, licensed dealers, government transfers, inheritance through probate, temporary gun range rentals, firearm safety courses, and curio collector transfers. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties for first offenses (up to 1 year in jail or $500 fine) and felony penalties for repeat offenses (up to 3 years in jail or $3,000 fine). The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts firearm purchases to reduce gun violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of enhancing public safety and preventing firearm-related crimes within the criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7289: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT -- POWERS OF ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL -- CIVIL FORFEITURE PROCEDURE

HB 7289 prohibits law enforcement from seizing property under controlled substances laws without first obtaining a criminal conviction. This directly affects property owners who might otherwise face asset forfeiture before a court finds them guilty of a crime. The bill modifies existing forfeiture procedures by requiring a criminal conviction before civil forfeiture can proceed, with limited exceptions for vehicles used by common carriers. It changes the process so that assets cannot be taken through civil means until after a criminal case concludes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires criminal conviction before asset forfeiture, protecting property owners from civil forfeiture without due process - aligns with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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