2026 -- S 2279 SUBSTITUTE A

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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 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST

     Introduced By: Senators Patalano, Dimitri, Thompson, Famiglietti, LaMountain, Burke,
Appollonio, Paolino, de la Cruz, and Rogers

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 12-7 of the General Laws entitled "Arrest" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following section:

     12-7-1.1. Temporary detention by private college or university public safety

personnel.

     (a) A private institution of higher education chartered by the state and maintaining a

campus within the state may authorize trained public safety officers or security personnel employed

by the institution to temporarily detain an individual upon campus property when:

     (1) The officer has probable cause to believe that:

     (i) The individual has committed a felony; or

     (ii) The individual has committed a misdemeanor involving violence, theft, trespass,

property destruction, disorderly conduct, or other breach of the peace occurring in the officer's

presence; and

     (2) The detention is reasonably necessary to:

     (i) Prevent imminent harm to persons or property;

     (ii) Prevent the individual's escape prior to the arrival of law enforcement; or

     (iii) Maintain public safety.

     (b) A detention authorized under this section:

     (1) Shall be conducted using the least restrictive means reasonably available;

     (2) Shall occur only upon property owned, leased, operated, or controlled by the institution;

     (3) Shall not constitute an arrest; and

     (4) Shall not confer any general law enforcement authority upon the person conducting the

detention.

     (c) Immediately upon detaining an individual pursuant to this section, the public safety

officer or security officer shall request assistance from the state police or local law enforcement

agency having jurisdiction.

     (d) A person detained pursuant to this section shall be informed as soon as practicable:

     (1) That the detention is temporary;

     (2) Of the reason for the detention; and

     (3) That law enforcement has been summoned.

     (e) Physical restraint may be used only when reasonably necessary to:

     (1) Protect the officer or another person from physical injury;

     (2) Prevent the destruction of evidence;

     (3) Prevent escape; or

     (4) Prevent imminent damage to property.

     The degree of force used shall not exceed that which is objectively reasonable under the

circumstances.

     (f) Handcuffs or other restraint devices may be used only by personnel who have

successfully completed training approved by the Rhode Island police officer standards and training

academy or another training program approved by the department of public safety.

     (g) Every institution exercising authority under this section shall:

     (1) Maintain written policies governing detention procedures, use of force, reporting

requirements, and training standards;

     (2) Require annual training for all personnel authorized to conduct detentions;

     (3) Maintain records of all detentions for not less than five (5) years; and

     (4) Make such records available to law enforcement upon request.

     (h) Within twenty-four (24) hours of any detention conducted pursuant to this section, the

institution shall prepare a written incident report documenting:

     (1) The reason for the detention;

     (2) The duration of the detention;

     (3) Any force or restraints utilized;

     (4) The law enforcement agency notified; and

     (5) The disposition of the incident.

     (i) A public safety officer, security officer, or institution acting in good faith and in

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reasonable reliance upon this section shall not be liable for civil damages arising from a detention

authorized by this section, except for conduct constituting gross negligence, reckless conduct, or

willful misconduct.

     (j) Nothing contained herein shall:

     (1) Authorize a search beyond that otherwise permitted by law;

     (2) Grant arrest powers to non-sworn personnel;

     (3) Confer peace officer status upon any individual; or

     (4) Limit any authority otherwise granted to special police officers appointed pursuant to

chapter 2.1 of title 12.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST

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     This act would permit non-sworn public safety officers and security guards at private

colleges and universities, to detain individuals within the campus jurisdiction, when the officer or

guard has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed a criminal offense.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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