AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- THREATS AND EXTORTION

HB 5071 amends Rhode Island law to expand the definition of "public official" under threats and extortion statutes. It specifically adds state government caseworkers (social workers who help individuals access government resources) and investigators to the list of protected individuals. This means threatening these workers because of their job duties would now be a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The bill does not create new penalties but extends existing legal protections to these specific state employees. The change takes effect upon passage.