This bill designates April 2026 as 'Second Chance Month' in Rhode Island to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with past arrest or conviction records. The resolution highlights how background checks and legal barriers often limit opportunities for employment, housing, and education for these individuals. It formally recognizes the importance of second chances and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to specific community organizations focused on formerly incarcerated people.
This bill amends state assault laws to classify attacking a railroad worker as a felony if the assault causes physical injury. The change specifically targets individuals who knowingly and willfully strike or spray a railroad worker with a noxious chemical while the worker is performing their duties. Under this proposal, anyone convicted of this offense could face up to three years in prison, a fine of $1,500, or both. The legislation applies to railroad employees who are on the job and does not alter penalties for other types of assaults or attacks on other protected groups.
Authorizes the state retirement board to revoke or reduce an individual’s pension benefit if that individual is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to a felony sex crime related to their public office or public employment.
This bill creates a dedicated domestic violence calendar within the Rhode Island Superior Court specifically for handling felony domestic violence cases. The new system would prioritize scheduling these cases and assign them to specific personnel to ensure consistent judicial oversight and better enforcement of protective orders. It applies to serious crimes involving domestic violence, violations of no-contact orders, and weapon-related offenses connected to such matters. The legislation aims to improve public safety and court efficiency by centralizing the processing of these specific criminal proceedings.
This bill expands the state crime victim compensation program to allow victims of stalking to receive financial assistance for relocation costs and home modifications. Under the new provisions, the state administrator may approve these specific expenses only for stalking cases, unless the victim was also harmed by another compensable offense like assault or murder. The legislation clarifies that stalking alone does not qualify victims for other types of compensation, such as medical bills or lost wages, which remain available only for more serious violent crimes. By adding stalking to the list of eligible offenses for these particular costs, the bill aims to provide targeted support for individuals forced to move or alter their living situations due to harassment.
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.
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.
Permits the family court to award possession of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.
Provides for sentencing enhancements for any person using prohibited firearms, being a prohibited person or engaging in certain other firearm related offenses resulting in death and constituting first or second degree murder.
Establishes full-time juvenile hearing board coordinator to provide support and assistance to municipal juvenile hearing boards across the state. Any juvenile charged with a misdemeanor and who is a first offender, shall be referred to the hearing board.
