2026 -- H 8503

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LC006403

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-

BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOMEN

     Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Cruz, Potter, J. Lombardi, Hull, Tanzi, Kislak,
Shallcross Smith, Ajello, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: May 01, 2026

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is committed to improving public safety while reducing

unnecessary incarceration through investments in effective community-based programs and

services; and

     WHEREAS, Research and experience demonstrate that women involved in the criminal

justice system frequently face complex challenges including addiction, trauma, housing

instability, and barriers to employment and family reunification; and

     WHEREAS, Addressing these challenges through coordinated public health, housing,

and recovery services can reduce recidivism and strengthen communities; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has begun to develop innovative approaches to support

women transitioning in and out of the criminal justice system, including diversion programs,

transitional housing, recovery services, and other community-based interventions designed to

break the cycle of addiction and incarceration; and

     WHEREAS, Collaborative partnerships between state agencies, the judiciary, community

organizations, and academic institutions are necessary to successfully implement and evaluate

such programs; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has received federal support through the United States

Department of Justice Second Chance Act to expand evidence-based reentry services for women

and to rigorously evaluate the outcomes of those interventions; and

     WHEREAS, Innovative medical treatments may also play a role in improving recovery

outcomes, including emerging evidence that medications in the GLP-1 class may help reduce

cravings associated with substance use disorders and related compulsive behaviors; and

     WHEREAS, The State would benefit from a coordinated forum to review existing

initiatives, explore new policy options, and support the effective implementation of programs

designed to reduce incarceration among women while improving long-term health and public

safety outcomes; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to examine strategies for reducing

the incarceration of women in Rhode Island and supporting effective community-based

alternatives to incarceration is hereby created consisting of fifteen (15) members: one of whom

shall be a member of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall

be a representative of the Governor, to be appointed by the Governor; one of whom shall be a

representative of the Judicial Branch appointed by the Chief Justice; one of whom shall be the

Director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (DOC), or designee; one of whom shall

be the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, or designee; one of

whom shall be the Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental

Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), or designee; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Public

Defender, or designee; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Attorney General or designee; one

of whom shall be the Chair of the Rhode Island Parole Board or designee; one of whom shall be

the Director of the Executive Office of Housing, or designee; one of whom shall be a

representative from OpenDoors, an agency that provides reentry services; one of whom shall be a

formerly incarcerated woman with experience in reentry or recovery services; one of whom shall

be a representative from the People, Places & Health Collective of the Brown University School

of Public Health; one of whom shall be a representative from the Center for Addiction Science,

Policy and Research (CASPR); and one of whom shall be a representative from the Governor's

Advisory Council on Housing and Homelessness.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing

authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator; provided

that, the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the

appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) Reviewing existing programs and policies related to diversion, reentry, housing

stabilization, and recovery services for women involved in the criminal justice system;

     (2) Identifying opportunities to expand and strengthen community-based alternatives to

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incarceration that improve long-term outcomes and reduce recidivism;

     (3) Supporting the successful implementation and evaluation of initiatives funded through

the United States Department of Justice Second Chance Act, including the OpenDoors reentry

and diversion trial operating in Rhode Island;

     (4) Examining the role that innovative medical treatments and recovery supports may

play in improving outcomes for justice-involved women, including the potential use of GLP-1

medications and other emerging treatments that may help reduce the cycle of addiction and

incarceration;

     (5) Reviewing best practices from other states and national research on effective

interventions for women in the criminal justice system; and

     (6) Making recommendations to the House regarding policy, funding, and programmatic

changes that would improve outcomes for women and their families while strengthening public

safety.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet and

organize, and shall select a chairperson from among the members.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     The commission shall exist for approximately two (2) years from the date of formation.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House no later than April 28, 2028, and may issue interim reports prior to that date, and said

commission shall expire on May 30, 2028.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-

BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOMEN

***

     This resolution would create a special legislative commission to study and provide

recommendations relating to supporting community-based solutions to reduce the incarceration of

women in Rhode Island.

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