Issue · Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice (Courts)

Every criminal justice bill, vote, and legislator stance in Rhode Island, automatically classified by Maddy, our AI policy reader.

Total bills
60
2026 Regular Session
Top supporter
Jose Batista
100% support rate
Top opponent
Bob Phillips
0% support rate
Ranked legislators
10
5 support · 5 oppose
Key legislators

Who's moving courts in Rhode Island

Legislators moving courts in Rhode Island
Legislator Party Stance Support rate Votes
Jose Batista
Jose Batista House · District 12
D
Strong +
100% 5
Leo Felix
Leo Felix House · District 61
D
Strong +
100% 5
Rebecca Kislak
Rebecca Kislak House · District 4
D
Strong +
100% 5
David Morales
David Morales House · District 7
D
Strong +
100% 4
David Place
David Place House · District 47
R
Strong +
80% 5
Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips House · District 51
D
Strong −
0% 5
Bob Quattrocchi
Bob Quattrocchi House · District 41
R
Strong −
0% 5
Brian Newberry
Brian Newberry House · District 48
R
Strong −
0% 5
Chris Paplauskas
Chris Paplauskas House · District 15
R
Strong −
0% 5
Dick Fascia
Dick Fascia House · District 42
R
Strong −
0% 5
Showing 51–60 of 60 bills

All criminal justice bills

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7433: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS

HB 7433 requires law enforcement to obtain a person's consent or a valid search warrant before placing audio or video recording devices on their private property. This bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and guests by protecting their privacy from unauthorized surveillance on their premises. The key provision makes any audio or video evidence collected in violation of this rule inadmissible in criminal or civil court proceedings. The bill, currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee, would take effect upon passage.
Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement
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.
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.
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.
Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime
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.
Sub-Topics Courts
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.
Sub-Topics Courts
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7203: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

Prohibits the courts from setting cash or surety bail on any misdemeanor offense but permits the court to set reasonable non-monetary conditions of bail to assure the defendant's presence in court as required and to protect the community.
Sub-Topics Courts
died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2127: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS

Requires superior court clerk to automatically seal cases/individual counts of a criminal complaint/indictment that were dismissed, upon request of defendant and serve it upon bureau of criminal identification, police department and counsel of record.
Sub-Topics Courts Policing
died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2144: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

Permits the court to determine the number of hours a person would have to complete of a batters intervention program and gives the court discretion as to whether that person would be personally financially responsible for the costs thereof.
died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7289: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT -- POWERS OF ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL -- CIVIL FORFEITURE PROCEDURE

HB 7289 prohibits law enforcement from seizing property under controlled substances laws without first obtaining a criminal conviction. This directly affects property owners who might otherwise face asset forfeiture before a court finds them guilty of a crime. The bill modifies existing forfeiture procedures by requiring a criminal conviction before civil forfeiture can proceed, with limited exceptions for vehicles used by common carriers. It changes the process so that assets cannot be taken through civil means until after a criminal case concludes.
Showing 51 to 60 of 60 bills
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