Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7648: 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 JusticeEnhances reporting forms for sexual assault cases, improving data accuracy and accountability in criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Violent Crime

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7820: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7820 allows individuals convicted of crimes 40 or more years ago to petition courts to clear their criminal records, provided they have no recent charges or convictions and have paid all court fees. The bill creates a new eligibility window (40 years post-conviction) for expungement, excluding violent crimes like murder, sexual assault, and certain robberies or child abuse offenses. This change directly affects older individuals with clean records for decades, removing barriers to employment and housing while requiring court approval based on rehabilitation and public safety considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent old records to remove employment barriers, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes criminal record barriers for older individuals, directly aiding employment access and worker reintegration per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 8156: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Creates the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivor Services Fund in Rhode Island to provide state funding for nonprofit organizations that deliver direct services to survivors of domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates state fund for domestic violence survivor services, directly supporting victim protection and reform within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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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

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Violent Crime

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8086: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault, especially for minors, to allow more time for victims to report and seek justice. Aligns with criminal justice reform by improving victim access to the system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7549: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ASSAULTS

HB 7549 makes assaulting a sports official (such as an umpire, referee, or coach) during their duties a felony, directly affecting anyone who commits such violence at any athletic event - from school games to professional leagues. The bill establishes two penalty tiers: a standard assault carries up to 3 years in prison or a $3,000 fine, while assault causing serious bodily injury (like permanent disfigurement or life-threatening harm) results in 3-20 years in prison or a $10,000 fine. It also mandates that offenders pay restitution to victims or complete up to 500 hours of community service, in addition to any fines or prison time. This law applies to assaults occurring before, during, or after any sporting event.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting sports officials, establishing felony charges with longer prison terms, expanding criminalization of violence at athletic events.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2719: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- HOMICIDE

SB 2719 prohibits life imprisonment without parole for individuals aged 21 or younger convicted of homicide. It directly affects young adults (21 and under) sentenced for homicide crimes, requiring courts to consider alternative sentencing options instead. The bill mandates that any homicide conviction involving a defendant under 21 cannot result in a life sentence without parole. This pending legislation, introduced on February 27, 2026, is currently under review in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits life without parole for under-21 homicide offenders, mandating alternative sentencing - directly advances criminal justice reform by reducing harsh sentences for youth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7132: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- HOMICIDE

HB 7132 prohibits judges from imposing life without parole sentences on individuals convicted of homicide who were 21 years old or younger at the time of the offense. The bill directly affects juvenile defendants (ages 21 and under) in homicide cases by requiring alternative sentencing options, such as lengthy prison terms with parole eligibility. It changes sentencing guidelines to ensure youth offenders are not subject to irreversible life sentences. This policy shift applies specifically to homicide convictions under the state's criminal code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits life without parole for juvenile homicide offenders (age 21 or younger), mandating parole-eligible sentences to promote rehabilitation and align with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2398: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE

SB 2398 upgrades penalties for filing false police reports about serious crimes. It makes it a felony to falsely report a crime that carries a 5- to 20-year prison sentence (with 1-5 years in prison for conviction) or a 20+ year sentence (with 5-20 years in prison). The bill directly affects individuals who knowingly submit false reports about violent or severe offenses, such as aggravated assault or homicide. It replaces the current misdemeanor penalty with stricter felony charges based on the severity of the underlying crime falsely reported.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for false reporting of serious crimes, expanding criminalization and imposing harsher sentences, aligning with OPPOSE indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2156: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- BURGLARY AND BREAKING AND ENTERING

Adds a rebuttable defense if any person shall die or sustain a personal injury while committing robbery of the owner, lessor, or occupant of a motor vehicle and that the owner or occupant of the vehicle acted in self-defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds self-defense rebuttable defense for vehicle robbery victims, protecting civil rights in criminal justice context90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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