Courts
Browse Rhode Island bills in Courts with plain-language AI summaries.
Recent Bills
186 billsS3290ACOURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURTCivil ProcedureThis bill creates a dedicated calendar and a new magistrate position in the Superior Court for domestic violence cases.SenatePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)May 15, 2026H8547ACOURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURTCivil ProcedureThis bill creates a specialized domestic violence calendar in the Superior Court and adds a new magistrate position.HouseHouse passed Sub AMay 13, 2026S3263CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATIONCriminal ProcedureThis bill updates the criminal injuries compensation program by removing outdated language and adding emergency relocation compensation for stalking victims.SenateSigned by GovernorMay 5, 2026H8463ACRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARRESTCriminal ProcedureThis bill makes it illegal for inmates to use force or weapons to resist a correctional officer's lawful orders.HousePlaced on House Calendar (06/10/2026)Apr 17, 2026H8433COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- WRITS, SUMMONS AND PROCESSCivil ProcedureThis bill restricts the delivery of official court documents strictly to state sheriffs and certified constables, excluding town sergeants.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyApr 10, 2026S3190COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DECISIONS, SPECIAL FINDINGS AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGESCivil ProcedureThis bill allows injured people to seek compensation even if they assumed a risk or a danger was obvious.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyApr 3, 2026S3191COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCECivil ProcedureIn injury lawsuits, medical damages are based on the doctor's full original bill, not the discounted insurance payment.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyApr 3, 2026S3193COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTIONCivil ProcedureThis bill allows plaintiffs in civil lawsuits to receive punitive damages if the defendant acted recklessly or intentionally dangerous.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyApr 3, 2026S3189COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCECivil ProcedureThis bill repeals a law that allowed medical malpractice damages to be reduced by a patient's health insurance benefits.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyApr 3, 2026S3197COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSE OF ACTIONCivil ProcedureThis bill allows signed settlement release forms to be sent electronically to insurance companies or other paying parties.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyApr 3, 2026S3168CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTSCriminal ProcedureThis bill allows police to obtain search warrants electronically for severe driving offenses that cause death or serious injury.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 27, 2026H8328COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGSCivil ProcedureThis bill permits Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and gives individuals the right to participate via video or phone.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 20, 2026S3135MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MISCELLANEOUS RULESCriminal ProcedureRemoves the prohibition on fines and records for leaving young children unattended in cars, allowing for potential criminal prosecution.SenateSigned by GovernorMar 20, 2026H8296CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- RAILROAD, STEAMBOAT, AND BRIDGE POLICECriminal ProcedureThis bill mandates confidentiality for police reports and communications involving railroad employees in fatal accidents, establishing penalties for unauthorized disclosure.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 13, 2026S3108CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDSCriminal ProcedureRequires individuals to disclose expunged criminal records when applying for a permit to carry a pistol or revolver.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 13, 2026S3103CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDSCriminal ProcedureExtends the waiting period to expunge DUI and chemical test refusal records from five years to ten years.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 13, 2026S3105CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND COMPLAINTSCriminal ProcedureThis bill extends the time limit for prosecuting residential mortgage fraud to ten years.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 13, 2026S3099COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURTCourtsThis bill renames the "drug court" and "drug court magistrate" to "recovery court" and "recovery court magistrate."SenateSigned by GovernorMar 13, 2026H8293CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARRESTCriminal ProcedureThis bill allows private college security guards to detain suspected criminals on campus for up to 30 minutes pending police arrival.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 13, 2026S3109CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- COUNTY GRAND JURIESCriminal ProcedureThis bill allows grand juries to issue public reports on government ethics and matters of public concern.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 13, 2026S3050ACOURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURTCivil ProcedureThis bill allows retired Superior Court magistrates to return to work while still receiving their retirement benefits.SenateReferred to House FinanceMar 6, 2026H8247COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURTCivil ProcedureThis bill changes the official title of the "drug court magistrate" to "recovery court magistrate" and updates related terminology.HouseSigned by GovernorMar 6, 2026S3036ACRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDSCriminal ProcedureThis bill allows individuals with up to four non-violent felony convictions to apply for criminal record expungement after 15 years.SenateHouse passed Sub A in concurrenceMar 5, 2026S3038COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERSCivil ProcedureThis bill mandates that anyone subject to a temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order must be taken to a hospital emergency room.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 5, 2026