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S 2597Violent Crime Penalties

Criminal Offenses - Sexual Assault

This bill increases the minimum prison sentence for first-degree sexual assault from ten years to fifteen years.

Held for study
Population
Affected
15
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 13, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation increases the mandatory minimum prison sentence for individuals convicted of first-degree sexual assault. Previously, the minimum sentence was ten years; this bill raises it to fifteen years. Additionally, the bill addresses the penalty for first-degree child molestation sexual assault, establishing a minimum sentence of twenty-five years. For both offenses, the law mandates that a specific portion of these sentences must be served without the possibility of deferment or suspension, ensuring that convicted offenders serve significant time in prison.

For younger readers

This new rule changes how long someone must stay in prison if they hurt someone else in a very bad, sexual way. Before, the rule said a person who did this had to stay in prison for at least ten years. Now, this rule says they have to stay for at least fifteen years. It also says that people who do these bad things to children must stay in prison for at least twenty-five years. This helps keep dangerous people away from others for a longer time.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Victims of sexual assaultConvicted sex offendersJudgesProsecutorsDefense attorneys
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to seeking justice for survivors of severe sexual violence by ensuring perpetrators face significant consequences for their actions.
  • Prioritizes the safety and welfare of the most vulnerable members of the community, specifically children, by mandating long sentences for child molestation.
  • Removes the possibility of lenient sentencing for violent sexual predators, potentially reducing the risk of re-offense and enhancing community safety.
  • Relies on mandatory minimum sentencing, a practice often criticized by progressives for removing judicial discretion and contributing to mass incarceration without addressing root causes.
  • Focuses entirely on punitive measures rather than rehabilitation or restorative justice, which limits the potential for reforming offenders.
  • May disproportionately impact marginalized communities, who are historically treated more harshly by the criminal justice system and mandatory sentencing laws.
For Conservatives
  • Strengthens law and order by imposing stricter, non-negotiable penalties on violent criminals, ensuring they are removed from society for longer periods.
  • Protects traditional family values and children by taking a hardline stance against child molesters and sexual predators.
  • Limits the power of "activist judges" to hand down lenient sentences, ensuring that the punishment fits the severity of the crime as defined by the legislature.
  • Increases the financial burden on the state and taxpayers by mandating longer prison terms, which increases the costs of housing and feeding inmates.
  • Could be viewed as government overreach into the judicial branch, restricting the ability of judges to weigh specific circumstances in individual cases.
  • Raises the stakes significantly for defendants, increasing the potential for permanent life-ruining consequences in the event of a wrongful conviction or false accusation.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 8 additions · 1 deletion

SECTION 1. Sections 11-37-3 and 11-37-8.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-37 entitled "Sexual Assault" are hereby amended to read as follows: 11-37-3. Penalty for first degree sexual assault. Every person who shall commit sexual assault in the first degree shall be imprisoned for a period not less than ten (10) fifteen (15) years; provided that, the first ten (10) years shall be served and the person shall not be afforded the benefits of determent or suspension of sentence and may be imprisoned for life. 11-37-8.2. Penalty for first degree child molestation sexual assault. Every person who shall commit first degree child molestation sexual assault shall be imprisoned for a period of not less than twenty- five (25) years; provided that, the first ten (10) years shall be served and the person shall not be afforded the benefits of determent or suspension of sentence and may be imprisoned for life.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall be applicable to all those offenses committed after the effective date of this section.