Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 2295: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

SB 2295 prohibits individuals from purchasing or possessing more than one firearm within any 30-day period, directly affecting most firearm buyers. Key exemptions include law enforcement officers, inheritances, temporary rentals at licensed shooting ranges, firearm safety courses, and transfers to licensed curio collectors. Violating this rule results in a misdemeanor penalty for a first offense (up to one year in jail or $500 fine) and a felony charge for subsequent offenses (up to three years in jail or $3,000 fine). The bill takes effect upon passage and does not apply to licensed dealers, governmental entities, or court-ordered transfers. This legislation aims to limit rapid multiple firearm acquisitions through specific purchase restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new firearm purchase restrictions, directly aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator for 'oppose' stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2049: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Establishes a program within the adult correctional institution to permit medication assisted treatment approved by the FDA to be provided for the treatment of opioid use disorder to any incarcerated individual.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in prisons, directly enhancing rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, expanding healthcare access for incarcerated individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2154: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND DATA PRIVACY ACT

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information and other identifying information of subscribers and customers, except in specified circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates search warrants for electronic data, protecting privacy rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for law enforcement access to electronic data, strengthening privacy protections per bill summary. Directly aligns with support indicators for data privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2290: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

SB 2290 requires courts to release most people arrested for misdemeanors without financial conditions (like cash bail), unless the case involves domestic violence or the court finds a risk the person will skip court or threaten witnesses. It mandates the Department of Corrections to gather background information - including employment, community ties, and criminal history - to help courts decide on non-financial release conditions. Courts may then impose conditions like regular check-ins or community supervision to ensure court appearances and public safety. The bill applies only to misdemeanor cases and does not affect felony charges or existing procedures for those exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates cash bail for most misdemeanors, promoting pretrial release without financial barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7281: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7281 reduces the waiting period for expunging criminal records. It shortens the time to 3 years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and 5 years for felonies or multiple misdemeanors (down from 5 and 10 years, respectively). The bill applies to people with eligible non-violent convictions who have paid all court fees and fines. Violent crime convictions and certain offenses under specific statutes remain ineligible for expungement. The changes take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces expungement waiting periods for non-violent offenses, advancing criminal justice reform by facilitating record clearance and reducing barriers to reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 7436: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DETENTION FOR FEDERAL CIVIL IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS

Prohibits state and municipal officials or body from entering into and renewing any agreements that will be used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits state cooperation with federal immigration detainers, reducing unjust incarceration and protecting civil rights in criminal justice context.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits state/municipal agreements for detaining individuals for federal immigration violations, limiting state enforcement collaboration with federal immigration authorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2313: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

SB 2313 shortens the waiting period for expunging criminal records. It reduces the time to 3 years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and 5 years for felony convictions or multiple misdemeanors (2-5 offenses). The bill maintains existing requirements, including paying all court fees and fines (unless waived), and excludes convictions for violent crimes or certain offenses under specific statutes. This change directly affects individuals seeking to clear past criminal records under these categories.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens expungement waiting periods, aiding rehabilitation and reducing barriers to record clearance after sentence completion, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2281: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION

Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by imposing felony penalties for sex offenders near schools, restricting living options and increasing penalties without reform elements.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2299: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

SB 2299 allows individuals with multiple non-violent felony convictions to clear their court records after completing their sentences. It specifically applies to people convicted of more than one felony (excluding violent crimes or certain offenses under Chapter 29), provided they have paid all fees and fines and maintained a clean record for 10 years prior to filing. The bill amends existing expungement rules to extend the eligibility period from 5 to 10 years for multiple felony convictions and requires courts to verify no new offenses occurred during that time. It does not apply to violent felony convictions or certain drug-related offenses under Chapter 29. The bill is currently in the introduction stage, having been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands expungement for non-violent felons, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and recidivism reduction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2145: 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 establishes educational program targeting commercial sex buyers to address human trafficking, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing demand and promoting awareness of trafficking schemes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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