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S 2236Funding & Budget

S2236 - Rhode Island 2026

Appropriates $100,000 to the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias to support its operations and hate crime training programs.

Introduced
Population
Affected
35
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution appropriates $100,000 from the state treasury for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias. The funds will be distributed through the commission's designated fiscal agent, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers by the state controller.

The Commission on Prejudice and Bias, established by the Rhode Island legislature in 1981, is a diverse 17-member statutory body responsible for studying all forms of prejudice, bias, and hatred in the state. It plays a critical role in the state's criminal justice system by providing mandated hate crime training for law enforcement academies, current police officers, victim advocates, and community groups. Additionally, the commission receives direct reports of hate crimes, directs victims to appropriate support resources, and advises state leaders—including the Governor and Attorney General—on relevant civil rights laws and policies.

The resolution highlights that the commission's scope of work has expanded significantly over the decades. Concurrently, its traditional funding streams—such as federal and state grants from the Victims of Crime Act and the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance—have diminished and are no longer sufficient. This $100,000 state appropriation is intended to bridge that financial gap, ensuring the commission has the necessary resources to continue its statutory duties, maintain its essential training programs, and foster trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

For younger readers

This bill gives $100,000 to a state group called the Commission on Prejudice and Bias. This group helps train police officers about hate crimes and supports victims of prejudice. The money is needed because the group's older sources of funding have run out.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and BiasLaw enforcement agenciesVictims of hate crimesRhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. This is a standard legislative appropriation of funds for an existing state commission.

Estimated cost
$100,000
Estimated revenue
Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Supports anti-bigotry and anti-prejudice initiatives across the state.
  • Ensures continued funding for critical hate crime training for law enforcement.
  • Provides resources and support for victims of hate crimes and bias incidents.
  • Maintains a diverse commission that fosters trust between marginalized communities and police.
  • $100,000 may be insufficient for a statewide commission tackling systemic prejudice.
  • Relies on a one-time appropriation rather than establishing a permanent, dedicated funding stream.
  • Funneling money through a separate fiscal agent could create administrative hurdles.
For Conservatives
  • Supports law enforcement by providing necessary, statutorily mandated training.
  • Addresses a specific funding shortfall without creating a massive new government program.
  • Utilizes an existing fiscal agent to manage funds efficiently without expanding state bureaucracy.
  • Increases state spending by $100,000 from the general treasury.
  • Replaces lost federal grant money with state taxpayer dollars.
  • Some conservatives might question the necessity or effectiveness of state-funded bias commissions.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island legislature established the Commission on Prejudice and Bias (the commission) in 1981, in order to study all forms of prejudice, bias, or hatred in this State and to revise and codify, if possible, all laws relating to all forms of prejudice, bias, or hatred; and

WHEREAS, This diverse seventeen (17) member commission is dedicated to tackling the persistent issues of bigotry in Rhode Island and includes State legislators, gubernatorial appointed community leaders, Attorney General-appointed members, and law enforcement representatives; and

WHEREAS, The commission is a prominent and necessary channel of communication, collaboration, trust-building and understanding between legislators, law enforcement, and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect; and

WHEREAS, The commission provides hate crime training mandated by Rhode Island General Law § 42-28.2-8.1 for all law enforcement academies; and

WHEREAS, The commission provides hate crime training and education to current law enforcement, victim’s advocates, and community groups pursuant to Rhode Island General Law § 42-28-46; and

WHEREAS, The commission receives reports of hate crimes and incidents from Rhode Islanders and directs victims to resources whenever possible, while advising police departments and the Office of the Attorney General where appropriate; and

WHEREAS, The commission provides invaluable guidance to the Governor, Attorney General, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senate President on critical laws and policies related to prejudice and bias; and

WHEREAS, The commission has operated successfully through grants from the Victims of Crime Act, the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Rhode Island Department of Administration; and

WHEREAS, The scope of work has expanded over the decades and the funding streams once relied on no longer enable the execution of the commission’s mission statement; and

WHEREAS, Despite its proven success, the commission's operations have been hindered by diminishing Federal and State funding sources, such as grants from the Victims of Crime Act, the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Rhode Island Department of Administration, which are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of reporting and studying all forms of prejudice and hatred in Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, The commission serves on behalf of all Rhode Islanders, is a statutorily created body, and the thorough execution of its duties and responsibilities is only possible with the appropriate level of resources; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to be distributed to the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias via its fiscal agent the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $100,0 FOR THE RHODE ISLAND COMMISSION ON PREJUDICE & BIAS *** This resolution would appropriate the sum of $100,000 to the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice and Bias.