2026 -- S 2712

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LC005527

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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 -- STATE POLICE

     

     Introduced By: Senators Ciccone, Burke, Patalano, and Appollonio

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 42-28-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-28 entitled "State

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Police" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-28-19. Police powers of members — Fees — Duties — Suppression of riots.

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     Members of the division shall have and may exercise in any part of the state, with regard

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to the enforcement of the criminal laws, and municipal ordinances, all powers of deputy sheriffs,

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town sergeants, chiefs of police, police officers, and town constables. For purposes of enforcing

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municipal ordinances, members of the division shall have authority to enforce only those

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ordinances that provide for civil penalties and shall not enforce any ordinance for which a term of

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imprisonment may be imposed. Any person authorized to issue criminal process may direct that

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process to any member of the division. All fees received by members of the division in connection

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with the performance of their duties shall be paid to the general treasurer for the use of the state. It

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shall be the duty of its members to prevent and detect crime; to apprehend and assist in the

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prosecution of offenders; and to assist in the investigation and prosecution of any criminal matters

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within the state. The governor may command their services in the suppression of riots, but they

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shall not exercise their powers within the limits of any city to suppress rioting except by direction

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of the governor and upon the request of the mayor or chief of police of any city.

 

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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 -- STATE POLICE

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     This act would authorize the state police to enforce municipal ordinances; provided that,

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the ordinances provide for civil penalties only.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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