SB 2307 Rhode Island Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- BURGLARY AND BREAKING AND ENTERING

SB 2307 creates a legal presumption that property owners, tenants, or occupants acted in justified self-defense if a person dies or is injured while committing a violent crime (like burglary or assault) on their property. It applies when the property owner reasonably believed the intruder posed an imminent threat of serious harm or death to themselves or others lawfully present. The law presumes self-defense without requiring the owner to retreat, and this presumption can be challenged ("rebutted") in court. It directly affects property owners facing criminal or civil cases involving violent offenders injured or killed during crimes committed on their premises. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action May 12, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 12, 2026
Committee
05/12/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
01/23/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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