AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS (Prohibits the compelled production of a private key as it relates to a digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right.)

S2196

2026 -- S 2196
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LC004197
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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 -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--
PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS

Introduced By:
Senators DiPalma, Gu, Burke, Urso, Paolino, and Zurier

Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND
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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 64.35
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DIGITAL ASSET KEYS -- PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS
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42-64.35-1. Short title.

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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Digital Asset Keys -- Prohibition of
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Production of Private Keys."
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42-64.35-2. Purpose.

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This chapter prohibits the compelled production of a private key that relates to a digital
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asset, except as provided in § 42-64.35-4.
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42-64.35-3. Definitions.

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As used in this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings,
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unless the context otherwise requires:
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(1) "Private key" means a unique element of cryptographic data, or any substantially similar
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analogue, which is:
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(i) Held by a person;
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(ii) Paired with a unique, publicly available element of cryptographic data; and
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(iii) Associated with an algorithm that is necessary to carry out an encryption or decryption

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required to execute a transaction.
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42-64.35-4. Public key exception.

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No person shall be compelled to produce a private key or make a private key known to any
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other person in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative or other proceeding in this state that
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relates to a digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right to which the private key provides
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access, unless a public key is unavailable or unable to disclose the requisite information with
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respect to the digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right.
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42-64.35-5. No prohibition for lawful proceeding.

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This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit any lawful proceeding that compels a
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person to produce, sell, transfer, convey or disclose a digital asset, digital identity or other interest
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or right to which a private key provides access, or to disclose information about the digital asset,
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digital identity or other interest or right; provided that, the person is not required to produce or
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disclose the private key except as otherwise required in this chapter.
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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 -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--
PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS
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This act would, with limited exception, prohibit the compelled production of a private key
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as it relates to a digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004197
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LC004197 - Page 3 of 3