Sen. David Tikoian

Maddy summaryThis Rhode Island Senate resolution designates April 24, 2026, as "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" to honor the victims of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide and the Armenian-American community in the state. The measure formally recognizes the historical events described in the bill text and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the U.S. President, Congress, and various Armenian organizations. Additionally, the bill respectfully requests that the federal government urge Turkey to acknowledge the 1915 events as genocide and to provide restitution for the losses suffered by Armenians.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Rhode Island's criminal record expungement laws to align with a new 10-year waiting period specifically for driving under the influence (DUI) charges. It allows eligible individuals to petition courts to seal their criminal records after meeting specific time requirements, with misdemeanors generally becoming eligible after five years and felonies or certain DUI offenses after ten years. The legislation maintains restrictions by excluding violent crimes from expungement and requires petitioners to have paid all court fees and demonstrated good moral character. Additionally, it requires courts to notify relevant law enforcement agencies when expungement orders are granted and includes provisions for expunging records of offenses that have since been decriminalized.

Requires that any person convicted of a charge of driving under the influence or refusal to submit to a chemical test, have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle as part of any sentence before being eligible for a license reinstatement.

Bans street takeovers and violators would be guilty of a felony and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and be subject to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for drivers who cause accidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death while knowingly failing to stop at the scene. It directly affects vehicle operators involved in such incidents by expanding the range of possible punishments for these offenses. Key provisions include mandatory license revocation periods, longer prison sentences, and higher fines depending on whether the outcome was injury, serious injury, or death. The law also clarifies that these stricter penalties apply to accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Prohibits municipalities from restricting certain landscaping equipment based on its power source. It also prohibits any changes in the regulation of the use of power equipment in the municipality, without a positive referendum vote.

Increases the penalties for reckless driving from a misdemeanor first offense to a felony, with a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of between one thousand dollars ($1,000) and five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Maddy summarySB 2288 allows probationers serving one year or more to earn time off their probation for compliance with court conditions, but excludes those serving probation for specific offenses including murder, sexual assault, and driving under the influence causing death. Probationers without violations can earn up to 10 days per month off their sentence, with credits calculated after completing any incarceration. Violations of probation conditions stop credit accumulation and may result in the loss of previously earned credits. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Increases the penalties for a first offense of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death to a minimum 10 years in incarceration, a minimum of $10,000 and a minimum license revocation of 10 years.

Maddy summarySB 2402 increases penalties for drivers convicted of causing death or serious injury through reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs. The bill raises maximum prison sentences (e.g., from 10 to 20 years for causing death while driving recklessly), fines (e.g., from $10,000 to $20,000 for first-time DUI causing death), and license suspension periods. It also adds requirements for alcohol/drug treatment programs and longer financial responsibility proof before license reinstatement. This bill directly affects drivers convicted under sections 31-27-1, 31-27-1.1, 31-27-2.2, and 31-27-2.6 of the state’s motor vehicle laws. The bill is currently in committee (introduced January 30, 2026) and has not yet passed.