H8063 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT (Requires that court sentencing a person for first degree sexual assault of first degree child molestation, have the approval of the victim before imposing any negotiated sentence upon the offender.)

Children Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Roberts, Hull, McNamara, Edwards, Bennett, Casey, Solomon, Serpa, Azzinaro, Costantino
Last action: 2026-03-12
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT (Requires that court sentencing a person for first degree sexual assault of first degree child molestation, have the approval of the victim before imposing any negotiated sentence upon the offender.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT (Requires that court sentencing a person for first degree sexual assault of first degree child molestation, have the approval of the victim before imposing any negotiated sentence upon the offender.)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-03-12 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-03-06 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/12/2026)
2026-02-27 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT (Requires that court sentencing a person for first degree sexual assault of first degree child molestation, have the approval of the victim before imposing any negotiated sentence upon the offender.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H8063

2026 -- H 8063
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LC005198
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT

Introduced By:
Representatives Roberts, Hull, McNamara, Edwards, Bennett, Casey,
Solomon, Serpa, Azzinaro, and Costantino

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Sections 11-37-3 and 11-37-8.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-37 entitled
2
"Sexual Assault" are hereby amended to read as follows:
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11-37-3. Penalty for first degree sexual assault.
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Every person who shall commit sexual assault in the first degree shall be imprisoned for a
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period not less than ten (10) years and may be imprisoned for life
; provided, however, that the
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sentencing court shall ensure that the victim or victims approve of any negotiated sentence imposed
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on the offender
.
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11-37-8.2. Penalty for first degree child molestation sexual assault.
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Every person who shall commit first degree child molestation sexual assault shall be
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imprisoned for a period of not less than twenty-five (25) years and may be imprisoned for life
;
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provided, however, that the sentencing court shall ensure that the victim or victims, or their parents
12
or guardian, approve of the any negotiated sentence imposed on the offender
.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005198
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT
***
1
This act would require that any court sentencing a person for first degree sexual assault or
2
first degree child molestation, have the approval of the victim before imposing any negotiated
3
sentence upon the offender.
4
This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005198
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