Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7128: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- MAINTENANCE OF ORDER ON CAMPUS

Mandates arming campus police at public higher educational institutions and includes campus police in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for the purposes of the "Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights."

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates arming campus police and includes them in law enforcement protections, strengthening law enforcement within criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Jan 28, 2026

HR 7386: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- JURY NULLIFICATION AS PROPER TRIAL DEFENSE ARGUMENT

HR 7386 proposes a constitutional amendment that would permit criminal defendants to formally argue jury nullification as a defense in court. This means defendants could explicitly state that they believe a law is unjust and request a jury to acquit them despite violating the law. The amendment would directly affect criminal defendants in trials where they seek to use this defense strategy. If approved by voters, it would change courtroom procedures to allow nullification arguments as a standard defense tactic, rather than a jury's informal choice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows defendants to formally argue jury nullification as a defense, protecting civil rights and promoting criminal justice reform by enabling juries to reject unjust laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2158: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or criminal behavior, unless the parent of guardian of the juvenile is present, or unless an attorney is present or the juvenile and their parents have waived their presence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects juvenile rights during questioning, aligning with civil rights safeguards in criminal justice reform within family court proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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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

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2161: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCE AND EXECUTION

Requires courts to presume release for most probation violations, set reasonable bail or non-monetary conditions, limit detention to cases of risk or danger, require prompt hearings, and mandate written reasons for detention.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires presumption of release for probation violations, limits detention to risk cases, mandates written reasons - reduces unnecessary incarceration aligning with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2137: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits handcuffing children twelve (12) or under at initial police contact unless needed for public safety or if the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits handcuffing children under 12 at initial contact, protecting minors' rights and enhancing police accountability - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Policing

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7205: AN ACT RELATED TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCING RECONSIDERATION ACT

Allows eligible individuals serving sentences of imprisonment to seek sentence reductions from the superior court, individuals serving life without parole or minimum mandatory sentences pursuant to law, would not be eligible for such relief.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows eligible inmates to seek sentence reductions via court reconsideration, promoting reform by reducing unnecessary prison terms while excluding life without parole cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7201: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Establishes the commercial sex buyer’s accountability program which consists of an instructional program on prostitution and human trafficking schemes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates educational program for sex buyers targeting human trafficking, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing root causes of commercial exploitation rather than punitive measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2125: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Removes the mandatory certification for an individual 16 years or older who was found delinquent for having committed 2 offenses after the age of 16 which would render the person subject to an indictment if the person was an adult.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory adult indictment for juvenile offenders (16+ with 2 offenses), promoting rehabilitation-focused family court proceedings over punitive adult system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7037: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits handcuffing children twelve (12) or under at initial police contact unless needed for public safety or if the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police handcuffing of children under 12, protecting civil rights and advancing juvenile justice reform within law enforcement practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Policing

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