AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (Prohibit denial of an opportunity to apply for employment as a law enforcement officer or firefighter solely on the basis of a person's country of citizenship.)

H7637

2026 -- H 7637
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LC004290
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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 -- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SAFETY

Introduced By:
Representatives Alzate, Chippendale, Hull, Giraldo, Stewart, Casimiro,
Fogarty, Felix, and Batista

Date Introduced:
February 11, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 42-7.3 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Public Safety"
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is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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42-7.3-11. Employment eligibility in law enforcement and fire services.

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(a) As used in this chapter:
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(1) "Law enforcement officer" shall have the meaning provided in § 42-28.6-1; and
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(2) "Firefighter" shall have the meaning provided in § 45-19.1-2.
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(b) Notwithstanding any general law, special law, municipal charter, ordinance, or
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regulation to the contrary, no person otherwise qualified shall be denied an opportunity to apply
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for appointment or employment as a law enforcement officer or firefighter or admission to a
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training academy solely on the basis of the person's country of citizenship; provided that, the person
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is qualified pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
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(c) For purposes of this section, any person who is a lawful permanent resident of the
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United States under federal law shall be deemed eligible to apply for appointment or employment
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as a law enforcement officer or firefighter as defined in subsection (a) of this section; provided that,
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the individual is legally authorized to work in the United States and satisfies all other qualifications
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required by law; provided however, following completion of the academy training the individual
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shall not be sworn in as a law enforcement officer or firefighter until the individual has acquired
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United States citizenship.

1

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect requirements relating to background
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investigations, training, or certification standards applicable to law enforcement officers or
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firefighters under state law.
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SECTION 2. Sections 42-28-10 and 42-28-28 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-28
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entitled "State Police" are hereby amended to read as follows:
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42-28-10. Appointment and removal of members.
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The superintendent shall appoint the other members of the division authorized by this
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chapter for terms of three (3) years each, and may remove any member after a hearing, in
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accordance with the rules and regulations of the division, and no member so removed shall be
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eligible to reappointment. No person shall be eligible for appointment for the first time by the
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superintendent unless he or she shall
comply with the provisions of § 42-7.3-11 and
be a citizen of
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the United States between the ages of eighteen (18) and thirty-five (35) years and shall have passed
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a physical and mental examination in accordance with the rules of the division.
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42-28-28. Persons admissible to school.
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No person shall be admitted as a candidate to the municipal police training school unless
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he or she is
in compliance with the provisions of § 42-7.3-11 and is

a citizen of the United States
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and
a resident of the state of Rhode Island and shall have reached the age of eighteen (18) years;
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nor shall any person be admitted who shall not have first been certified by a physician as being
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physically and mentally sound on an examination made within one month prior to the acceptance
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of his or her candidacy.
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SECTION 3. Chapter 45-2 of the General Laws entitled "General Powers" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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45-2-15.3. Employment eligibility in law enforcement and fire services.

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(a) As used in this chapter:
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(1) "Law enforcement officer" shall have the meaning provided in § 42-28.6-1; and
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(2) "Firefighter" shall have the meaning provided in § 45-19.1-2.
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(b) Notwithstanding any general law, special law, municipal charter, ordinance, rule, or
28
regulation to the contrary, no person otherwise qualified shall be denied an opportunity to apply
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for appointment or employment as a law enforcement officer or firefighter or admission to a
30
training academy solely on the basis of the person's country of citizenship; provided that, the person
31
is qualified pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
32

(c) For purposes of this section, any person who is a lawful permanent resident of the
33
United States under federal law shall be deemed eligible to apply for appointment or employment
34
as a law enforcement officer or firefighter as defined in subsection (a) of this section; provided that,

LC004290 - Page 2 of 4
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the individual is legally authorized to work in the United States and satisfies all other qualifications
2
required by law; provided however, following completion of the academy training the individual
3
shall not be sworn in as a law enforcement officer or firefighter until the individual has acquired
4
United States citizenship.
5

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect requirements relating to background
6
investigations, training, or certification standards applicable to law enforcement officers or
7
firefighters under state law.
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SECTION 4. 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 -- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SAFETY
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This act would prohibit the denial of an opportunity to apply for employment as a law
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enforcement officer or firefighter solely on the basis of a person's country of citizenship.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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