AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Provides the review and appeal process for individuals applying for a permit or license to carry a handgun with the licensing authority or attorney general.)

H7553

2026 -- H 7553
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LC003892
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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 OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Introduced By:
Representatives Noret, Place, Corvese, Chippendale, Dawson, Phillips,
Bennett, J. Brien, Casey, and Read

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 11-47 of the General Laws entitled "Weapons" is hereby amended
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by adding thereto the following section:
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11-47-8.2. Review and appeal of the decision of the licensing authority or attorney
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general.

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(a) A decision denying a permit pursuant to either §§ 11-47-11 or 11-47-18 shall be final
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unless further review or appeal is initiated in writing within fifteen (15) days after the decision has
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been mailed to the applicant at the address listed on the application.
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(b) An aggrieved individual may submit a written request to reconsider the denial to the
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licensing authority or the department of the attorney general. Said request shall be submitted within
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fifteen (15) days after the decision has been mailed to the address provided by the applicant.
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(1) The licensing authority or the department of the attorney general shall schedule and
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conduct an in-person meeting within fourteen (14) days of the request to review and discuss the
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decision. Said meeting shall only be scheduled or rescheduled beyond the initial fourteen (14) day
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period by agreement of the parties or for good cause, but in no event exceed sixty (60) days.
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(2) The applicant may submit any supplemental documentation relative to the application,
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which shall become part of the application.
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(3) The meeting shall be conducted as an informal meeting, not as an administrative
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hearing. The licensing authority or the department of the attorney general shall receive and consider
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documents and other evidence without regard to statutory and common law rules. A stenographic

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record, transcription, video, audio or other recording is only allowed by agreement of the parties.
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(4) The applicant may be represented at this meeting by an attorney.
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(5) The licensing authority or the department of the attorney general shall, within seven (7)
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days after the meeting, mail a decision to the applicant granting or denying the application. Any
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denial shall be in writing and state with specificity the reason(s) and evidence upon which the denial
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was based and the rationale for the denial.
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(c) An aggrieved individual may submit an appeal of the decision denying a permit
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pursuant to either §§ 11-47-11 or 11-47-18 or of the decision of the request to reconsider to the
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superior court for the county in which the licensing authority or attorney general is located, in the
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form of a miscellaneous petition, within fifteen (15) days after the decision has been mailed to the
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applicant at the address listed on the application.
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(1) The petition for review shall state the grounds upon which review is sought but need
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not be verified.
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(2) Upon appeal, the petitioner is entitled to a trial de novo before a justice of the superior
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court without a jury.
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(3) Within thirty (30) days of the notice of appeal the licensing authority or attorney general
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shall provide a full, complete and certified copy of the application and all submitted documents to
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both the petitioner and the superior court.
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(d) Pursuant to chapter 3 of title 38, the request to reconsider and the appeal to the superior
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court, shall not be deemed public. All documents, records and proceedings before the licensing
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authority, the department of the attorney general and the superior court shall not be open to the
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public, but may be accessed by law enforcement personnel to be used for law enforcement purposes
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only and shall otherwise remain otherwise confidential.
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(e) An applicant may have the superior court hearing open to the public upon written
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request to the superior court.
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(f) The superior court may award reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and filing fees to the
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prevailing applicant if the court finds that there is no justiciable issue of either law of fact, or if the
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licensing authority or the department of the attorney general did not have a good faith basis in the
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denial of the license or permit.
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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 CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS
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This act would provide the review and appeal process for individuals applying for a permit
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or license to carry a handgun with the licensing authority or attorney general. This act would
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provide that an applicant denied a concealed carry handgun permit, could request a meeting with
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the licensing authority to reconsider the application. If the licensing authority fails to approve the
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application after the meeting, then an appeal for a trial de nova may be taken to the superior court.
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The act would further provide that the documents, records and proceedings before the licensing
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authority and before the superior court shall not be open to the public unless the applicant requests
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in writing that that hearing be open to the public.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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