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H8503
2026 -- H 8503
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LC006403
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-
BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOMEN
Introduced By:
Representatives Felix, Cruz, Potter, J. Lombardi, Hull, Tanzi, Kislak,
Shallcross Smith, Ajello, and Fogarty
Date Introduced:
May 01, 2026
Referred To:
House Judiciary
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island is committed to improving public safety while reducing
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unnecessary incarceration through investments in effective community-based programs and
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services; and
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WHEREAS, Research and experience demonstrate that women involved in the criminal
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justice system frequently face complex challenges including addiction, trauma, housing
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instability, and barriers to employment and family reunification; and
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WHEREAS, Addressing these challenges through coordinated public health, housing,
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and recovery services can reduce recidivism and strengthen communities; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island has begun to develop innovative approaches to support
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women transitioning in and out of the criminal justice system, including diversion programs,
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transitional housing, recovery services, and other community-based interventions designed to
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break the cycle of addiction and incarceration; and
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WHEREAS, Collaborative partnerships between state agencies, the judiciary, community
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organizations, and academic institutions are necessary to successfully implement and evaluate
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such programs; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island has received federal support through the United States
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Department of Justice Second Chance Act to expand evidence-based reentry services for women
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and to rigorously evaluate the outcomes of those interventions; and
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WHEREAS, Innovative medical treatments may also play a role in improving recovery
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outcomes, including emerging evidence that medications in the GLP-1 class may help reduce
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cravings associated with substance use disorders and related compulsive behaviors; and
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WHEREAS, The State would benefit from a coordinated forum to review existing
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initiatives, explore new policy options, and support the effective implementation of programs
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designed to reduce incarceration among women while improving long-term health and public
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safety outcomes; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to examine strategies for reducing
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the incarceration of women in Rhode Island and supporting effective community-based
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alternatives to incarceration is hereby created consisting of fifteen (15) members: one of whom
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shall be a member of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall
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be a representative of the Governor, to be appointed by the Governor; one of whom shall be a
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representative of the Judicial Branch appointed by the Chief Justice; one of whom shall be the
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Director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (DOC), or designee; one of whom shall
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be the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, or designee; one of
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whom shall be the Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental
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Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), or designee; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Public
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Defender, or designee; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Attorney General or designee; one
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of whom shall be the Chair of the Rhode Island Parole Board or designee; one of whom shall be
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the Director of the Executive Office of Housing, or designee; one of whom shall be a
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representative from OpenDoors, an agency that provides reentry services; one of whom shall be a
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formerly incarcerated woman with experience in reentry or recovery services; one of whom shall
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be a representative from the People, Places & Health Collective of the Brown University School
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of Public Health; one of whom shall be a representative from the Center for Addiction Science,
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Policy and Research (CASPR); and one of whom shall be a representative from the Governor's
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Advisory Council on Housing and Homelessness.
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In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study
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commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing
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authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator; provided
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that, the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the
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appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.
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The purpose of said commission shall include, but not be limited to:
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(1) Reviewing existing programs and policies related to diversion, reentry, housing
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stabilization, and recovery services for women involved in the criminal justice system;
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(2) Identifying opportunities to expand and strengthen community-based alternatives to
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incarceration that improve long-term outcomes and reduce recidivism;
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(3) Supporting the successful implementation and evaluation of initiatives funded through
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the United States Department of Justice Second Chance Act, including the OpenDoors reentry
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and diversion trial operating in Rhode Island;
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(4) Examining the role that innovative medical treatments and recovery supports may
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play in improving outcomes for justice-involved women, including the potential use of GLP-1
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medications and other emerging treatments that may help reduce the cycle of addiction and
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incarceration;
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(5) Reviewing best practices from other states and national research on effective
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interventions for women in the criminal justice system; and
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(6) Making recommendations to the House regarding policy, funding, and programmatic
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changes that would improve outcomes for women and their families while strengthening public
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safety.
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Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet and
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organize, and shall select a chairperson from among the members.
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Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
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The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
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The commission shall exist for approximately two (2) years from the date of formation.
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All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
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documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
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desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
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House no later than April 28, 2028, and may issue interim reports prior to that date, and said
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commission shall expire on May 30, 2028.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-
BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOMEN
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This resolution would create a special legislative commission to study and provide
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recommendations relating to supporting community-based solutions to reduce the incarceration of
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women in Rhode Island.
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