Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 28, 2026

SB 3104: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

This bill creates a new Bureau of Public Protection within Rhode Island's Department of Attorney General, led by an assistant attorney general and staffed with specialized advocates for consumer protection, healthcare, civil rights, environmental issues, and antitrust enforcement. The bureau will have the authority to investigate and seek court orders against businesses or government entities engaged in repeated illegal acts or persistent illegality, allowing the attorney general to request injunctions, restitution, damages, and penalties on behalf of the state. The law defines illegal conduct as violations of federal or state civil law and explicitly excludes criminal law enforcement from this authority. Additionally, the attorney general may issue civil investigative demands to gather facts before filing applications, and the department must submit an annual report to state legislators detailing the bureau's activities and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates Bureau of Public Protection with civil rights enforcement, strengthening oversight and protecting rights within criminal justice framework.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Law Enforcement

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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

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2981: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMPUTER CRIME

Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens cyberstalking laws by removing the 'sole purpose' requirement, enhancing victim protection and law enforcement ability to prosecute digital harassment cases.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill lowers threshold for cybercrime convictions, potentially restricting digital communication rights and limiting technology use without requiring proof of malicious intent.75% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 3037: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Prohibits individual who operates a recreational vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner which hinders the movement of other vehicles with a group of 2 more vehicles be guilty of felony, punishable by imprisonment up to 2.5 years and fine up to $2,000.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes reckless driving behavior in RVs, strengthening enforcement and public safety within criminal justice framework.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by criminalizing reckless recreational vehicle operation that hinders traffic flow, protecting other road users.75% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 3042: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

Bans street takeovers and violators would be guilty of a felony and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and be subject to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes street takeovers with felony penalties, strengthening law enforcement response to dangerous criminal activity and enhancing public safety.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by criminalizing street takeovers, a dangerous activity that disrupts traffic flow and endangers road users.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2943: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

Removes the forfeiture provision for a first offense eluding law enforcement in a high speed pursuit. It would also require that forfeiture of a motor vehicle for a violation of § 31-27-4.1(2) be allowed only after conviction of that offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes forfeiture for first offense eluding, protecting property rights and reducing harsh penalties, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 3103: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

This bill updates Rhode Island's criminal record expungement laws to align with a new 10-year waiting period specifically for driving under the influence (DUI) charges. It allows eligible individuals to petition courts to seal their criminal records after meeting specific time requirements, with misdemeanors generally becoming eligible after five years and felonies or certain DUI offenses after ten years. The legislation maintains restrictions by excluding violent crimes from expungement and requires petitioners to have paid all court fees and demonstrated good moral character. Additionally, it requires courts to notify relevant law enforcement agencies when expungement orders are granted and includes provisions for expunging records of offenses that have since been decriminalized.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands expungement eligibility for DUI offenses, promoting criminal justice reform and rehabilitation by allowing eligible individuals to clear records after specific waiting periods.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 3102: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT REPORTS

This bill increases penalties for drivers who cause accidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death while knowingly failing to stop at the scene. It directly affects vehicle operators involved in such incidents by expanding the range of possible punishments for these offenses. Key provisions include mandatory license revocation periods, longer prison sentences, and higher fines depending on whether the outcome was injury, serious injury, or death. The law also clarifies that these stricter penalties apply to accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents, strengthening accountability and deterrence in criminal justice enforcement.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by increasing penalties for hit-and-run accidents, protecting public safety on roads.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Violent Crime

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2942: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUPER SPEEDER ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

Establishes the Super Speeder Accountability Act to be used as a sentencing option or enhancement for drivers charged with certain driving violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances accountability for dangerous driving through sentencing enhancements, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of protecting public safety and ensuring appropriate consequences for violations.65% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety through stricter penalties for speeding, aligning with safety improvement indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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