Chapter 173
2026 -- H 8463 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/22/2026

A N   A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST

Introduced By: Representatives Read, Noret, J. Brien, Chippendale, Casey, Corvese, O'Brien, Fascia, Santucci, and Cotter

Date Introduced: April 17, 2026

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 12-7-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 12-7 entitled "Arrest" is
hereby amended to read as follows:
     12-7-10. Resisting legal or illegal arrest Resisting legal or illegal arrest by peace
officer-Resisting directive of correctional officer.
     (a)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to use force or any weapon in resisting a legal or
an illegal arrest by a peace officer, if the person has reasonable ground to believe that he or she is
being arrested and that the arrest is being made by a peace officer.
     (2) It shall be unlawful for any person in custody of the Rhode Island department of
corrections to use any force or weapon to resist a lawful request or directive by a corrections officer.
     (i) As used in this section, "a lawful request or directive "means an order issued within the
scope of a correctional officer's official duties and consistent with state law and department
regulations.
     (b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not
more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both
fine and imprisonment.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC006330/SUB A
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