AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- KIDNAPPING
HB 5639 creates a new felony offense for attempting to kidnap a minor. It defines this as taking any action toward kidnapping a minor (as outlined in existing law) but failing to complete the act. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. This law directly affects individuals who attempt to abduct minors but do not succeed in completing the kidnapping.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 26, 2025
Signed Jun 24, 2025
Floor votes · House May 8, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Jun 24, 2025
Signed into law
06/24/2025 Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
06/18/2025 Senate passed in concurrence
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Legislature · Passed
06/10/2025 Committee recommends passage in concurrence
legislature
May 23, 2025
Committee
05/23/2025 Referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
05/08/2025 House read and passed
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Legislature · Passed
04/08/2025 Committee recommends passage
legislature
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
03/25/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
02/26/2025 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Justine Caldwell
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 5639
Scope: RI
Hi! I can help you understand HB 5639. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline