2026 -- S 2488

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LC004343

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BAIL BOND AGENTS AND

BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Kallman, Ciccone, Mack, Acosta, Vargas, Euer, McKenney,
Felag, Lawson, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 169

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BAIL BOND AGENTS AND BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS

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     42-169-1. Unprofessional conduct -- Civil immigration enforcement prohibited.

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     In addition to any other acts constituting unprofessional conduct under Rhode Island law

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or regulation, the following conduct by a bail bond agent or bail bond recovery agent shall

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constitute unprofessional conduct:

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     (1) Using the authority, position, or resources of a bail bond agent or bail bond recovery

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agent to engage in civil immigration enforcement.

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     (2) Assisting, facilitating, or participating in the enforcement of a civil immigration

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warrant, detainer, administrative warrant, or other civil immigration process issued by a federal

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immigration authority.

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     (3) Knowingly inquiring into, collecting, disclosing, or sharing information regarding a

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defendant’s or third party’s actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status, except where

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required by law or pursuant to a court order.

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     42-169-2. Definitions.

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     For the purposes of this chapter, “Civil immigration enforcement” means any action taken

 

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for the purpose of detecting, apprehending, detaining, transferring, or assisting in the removal of

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an individual based solely on an alleged violation of federal civil immigration law and not pursuant

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to a criminal warrant issued by a judicial officer.

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     42-169-3. Savings clause.

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     Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a bail bond agent or bail bond

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recovery agent from apprehending a defendant pursuant to a valid criminal warrant, court order, or

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contractual obligation related to bail; provided that, such action is not undertaken for the purpose

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of civil immigration enforcement.

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     42-169-4. Discipline and enforcement.

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     A violation of this chapter shall subject a bail bond agent or bail bond recovery agent to

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discipline by the appropriate licensing or regulatory authority including, but not limited to, license

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suspension, revocation, denial of renewal, or the imposition of civil penalties, in accordance with

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applicable law.

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     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BAIL BOND AGENTS AND

BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS

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     This act would prohibit bail bond agents and bail bond recovery agents from engaging in

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civil immigration enforcement, define such conduct as unprofessional, and subject violators to

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professional discipline under Rhode Island law, including license suspension, revocation, denial of

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renewal and civil penalties.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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