2026 -- H 8061

========

LC005363

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- JAILS AND PRISONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Noret, Hull, Read, Fascia, J. Brien, Corvese, and Hopkins

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (DCYF)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 11-25-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-25 entitled "Jails and

Prisons" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-25-14. Conveyance of unauthorized articles to or from institutions Conveyance of

unauthorized articles to or from institutions or the training school for youth.

     (a) Every person who shall convey or cause to be conveyed into the adult correctional

institutions any article without first obtaining the consent of the director of corrections, or who shall

convey from the institutions any article without the consent of the director of corrections, shall be

punished, upon conviction, by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, or by a fine of not

more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.

     (b) Every person who shall convey or cause to be conveyed to any prisoner any drugs,

tobacco or any article that could be used as a weapon, without first obtaining the consent of the

director of corrections, may be punished, upon conviction, by imprisonment for not more than ten

(10) years, or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.

     (c) For the purposes of subsection (b), “prisoner” includes all persons committed to the

adult correctional institution, in the custody of the warden, in the custody of any other officer while

outside the confines of the custodial unit, in the custody of the state director of behavioral

healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals pursuant to § 40.1-5.3-1, regardless of whether

that prisoner is held upon conviction or upon any criminal charge. “Prisoner” shall not include

persons on home confinement.

     (d) Every person who shall convey or cause to be conveyed to any resident at the training

school for youth, any drugs, tobacco, portable electronic communication device, or any article that

could be used as a weapon, without first obtaining the consent of the executive director of the

division of youth development at the department of children, youth and families, may be punished,

upon conviction, by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, or by a fine of not more than

five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.

     (e) For the purposes of subsection (d) of this section, “resident” includes all persons

detained at the training school for youth, in the custody of the superintendent of the training school

for youth, in the custody of any other juvenile program worker while outside the confines of the

custodial unit, or in the custody of the state director of behavioral healthcare, developmental

disabilities and hospitals pursuant to § 40.1-5.3-1, regardless of whether that person is held upon

adjudication or upon any petition for delinquency or waywardness. “Resident” shall not include

persons on home confinement.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005363

========

LC005363 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- JAILS AND PRISONS

***

     This act would prohibit individuals from conveying certain items to or from the training

school for youth without prior consent by the executive director of the division of youth

development at the department of children, youth and families.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005363

========

LC005363 - Page 3 of 3