Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8463: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST

This bill amends existing laws to make it a crime for individuals in the custody of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections to use force or weapons against correctional officers. Specifically, it prohibits inmates from resisting lawful requests or directives given by officers, while maintaining separate rules for resisting arrests by peace officers. Anyone found guilty of violating this provision could face a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The law applies directly to people already held in correctional facilities and aims to establish clear consequences for physical resistance within those institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens correctional security by criminalizing inmate violence against officers, protecting law enforcement and maintaining order.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8384: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES -- CASEY'S LAW

HB 8384 introduces "Casey's Law," which allows judges to impose stricter penalties on drivers convicted of misdemeanors or felonies if they are found to have acted out of "road rage." The bill defines road rage as intentionally aggressive, harassing, or dangerous behavior directed at other drivers or passengers on public roads. If a court determines beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime resulted from such behavior, the driver faces additional consequences, including mandatory fines, potential license suspension, and longer prison terms for felony offenses. All fines collected under this new provision must be placed into a dedicated fund to support public awareness campaigns about safe driving. This law does not create a new crime but rather adds enhanced sentencing options for existing offenses motivated by road rage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes stricter penalties and mandatory fines for road rage, expanding criminalization and limiting judicial discretion.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by imposing stricter penalties for road rage, protecting drivers and passengers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3169: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES -- CASEY'S LAW

This bill introduces enhanced penalties for drivers convicted of road rage, which is defined as intentionally aggressive, harassing, or dangerous behavior directed at other drivers or passengers on public roads. The law applies to existing misdemeanor and felony motor vehicle offenses, adding mandatory fines, license suspensions, and potential additional prison time when a conviction is linked to road rage. Prosecutors must formally allege road rage as a factor during the charging process, and courts must hold sentencing hearings where both sides can present evidence about the defendant's intent. All fines collected under this provision go into a dedicated fund used to promote public awareness about road rage and encourage safer driving practices.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory penalties and expands criminalization of road rage, adding fines, suspensions, and prison time without clear reform or rehabilitation focus.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by increasing penalties for road rage, protecting drivers and passengers from aggressive behavior.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2985: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Allows for the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault reporting forms by law enforcement agencies, enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms, and clarifies that the reporting forms should be submitted monthly.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances domestic violence reporting procedures and information collection, improving law enforcement accountability and victim protection within criminal justice system85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3036: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows expungement for multiple convictions, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to reentry, key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7653: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Allows for the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault reporting forms by law enforcement agencies, enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms, and clarifies that the reporting forms should be submitted monthly.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnhances domestic violence reporting procedures via electronic filing and detailed forms, improving law enforcement response to a key criminal justice issue.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2733: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST

SB 2733 prohibits individuals in state prison or jail custody from using force or weapons to resist lawful requests or directives from correctional staff. It directly affects incarcerated people by making such resistance a violation of the law. The bill establishes a clear rule that limits the use of force by people in correctional facilities during routine operations, such as transfers or medical requests. This policy change aims to enhance safety for staff and other inmates by clarifying expectations during lawful interactions. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies inmate conduct to enhance staff/inmate safety during facility operations, directly strengthening correctional facility security protocols within criminal justice framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7079: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Permits those individuals convicted of multiple felonies and misdemeanors to have their records expunged and provides criteria for the court to consider in determining whether the person is of good character.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of records for multiple offenses, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation opportunities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7360: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- PROTECT OUR COURTS ACT

Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects court access and civil rights for attendees, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by preventing unwarranted arrests during proceedings.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2955: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT

Requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances reporting requirements for sexual assault cases, improving law enforcement accountability and victim information collection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice