2026 -- H 8547

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LC006413

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

     Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Caldwell, and Craven

     Date Introduced: May 13, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative findings and purpose.

     The general assembly hereby finds and declares that domestic violence offenses present a

significant threat to public safety, frequently involve repeat conduct, and require coordinated and

consistent judicial oversight. The general assembly further finds that the centralized and expedited

disposition of such cases within the superior court will promote the fair and efficient administration

of justice, enhance victim safety, and ensure the consistent application and enforcement of bail

conditions and no-contact orders.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 8-2 of the General Laws entitled "Superior Court" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following section:

     8-2-15.2. Domestic violence calendar.

     (a) Establishment. There is hereby established within the Rhode Island superior court a

separate calendar to be known as the “domestic violence calendar” for the hearing and disposition

of domestic violence cases within the jurisdiction of the superior court.

     (b) Eligible cases. The domestic violence calendar shall include the following actions

within the jurisdiction of the superior court:

     (1) All criminal proceedings alleging the commission of a felony offense constituting

domestic violence, as defined in § 12-29-2;

     (2) All felony offenses involving violations of no-contact orders or protective orders arising

from domestic violence matters;

     (3) All felony offenses involving the use, possession, or discharge of a weapon in

connection with a domestic violence offense; and

     (4) Any other criminal proceedings arising from the same act or transaction or otherwise

related to a domestic violence matter, as the presiding justice or the court deems appropriate for

inclusion on the domestic violence calendar.

     (c) Assignment of personnel. The presiding justice of the superior court shall assign

personnel to the extent warranted to hear cases on the domestic violence calendar and may provide

for the consistent assignment of such cases in order to promote continuity of judicial oversight,

where practicable.

     (d) Priority of proceedings. Cases assigned to the domestic violence calendar shall be given

priority in scheduling and disposition, consistent with the rights of the parties.

     (e) Concurrent jurisdiction. The "domestic violence calendar" shall have concurrent

jurisdiction with any other calendar of the superior court to hear and decide all criminal actions

brought pursuant to the violations of chapters 5, 9, 29, 37, 47 and 68 of title 11 and any offense

constituting domestic violence as provided pursuant to § 12-29-2, as long as the criminal action

involves domestic violence as defined in § 15-15-1.

     (f) Administration. The presiding justice may adopt administrative orders, rules, and

protocols as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section, including coordination,

where appropriate, with the Rhode Island district court and the Rhode Island family court.

     (g) Construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the

superior court to control its calendar, assign cases, or otherwise manage its docket as provided by

law.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

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     This act would establish a separate domestic violence calendar within the superior court to

handle felony domestic violence cases.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC006413

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