AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST

This bill expands the legal definition of peace officers in Rhode Island to include certain staff members at the state's training school for youth offenders. Specifically, it designates program workers and shift coordinators employed by the Department of Children, Youth and Families as peace officers while they are performing their duties at the training school. Under this change, these individuals would gain the same arrest powers and authority as other designated peace officers during their work hours, but only when actively engaged in their official duties at the facility. The legislation does not alter the roles or responsibilities of these workers beyond granting them temporary peace officer status during their shift.