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S2279A
2026 -- S 2279 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC004329/SUB A/2
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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 PROCEDURE -- ARREST
Introduced By:
Senators Patalano, Dimitri, Thompson, Famiglietti, LaMountain, Burke,
Appollonio, Paolino, de la Cruz, and Rogers
Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026
Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 12-7 of the General Laws entitled "Arrest" is hereby amended by
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adding thereto the following section:
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12-7-1.1. Temporary detention by private college or university public safety
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personnel.
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(a) A private institution of higher education chartered by the state and maintaining a
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campus within the state may authorize trained public safety officers or security personnel employed
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by the institution to temporarily detain an individual upon campus property when:
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(1) The officer has probable cause to believe that:
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(i) The individual has committed a felony; or
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(ii) The individual has committed a misdemeanor involving violence, theft, trespass,
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property destruction, disorderly conduct, or other breach of the peace occurring in the officer's
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presence; and
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(2) The detention is reasonably necessary to:
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(i) Prevent imminent harm to persons or property;
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(ii) Prevent the individual's escape prior to the arrival of law enforcement; or
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(iii) Maintain public safety.
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(b) A detention authorized under this section:
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(1) Shall be conducted using the least restrictive means reasonably available;
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(2) Shall occur only upon property owned, leased, operated, or controlled by the institution;
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(3) Shall not constitute an arrest; and
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(4) Shall not confer any general law enforcement authority upon the person conducting the
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detention.
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(c) Immediately upon detaining an individual pursuant to this section, the public safety
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officer or security officer shall request assistance from the state police or local law enforcement
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agency having jurisdiction.
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(d) A person detained pursuant to this section shall be informed as soon as practicable:
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(1) That the detention is temporary;
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(2) Of the reason for the detention; and
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(3) That law enforcement has been summoned.
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(e) Physical restraint may be used only when reasonably necessary to:
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(1) Protect the officer or another person from physical injury;
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(2) Prevent the destruction of evidence;
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(3) Prevent escape; or
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(4) Prevent imminent damage to property.
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The degree of force used shall not exceed that which is objectively reasonable under the
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circumstances.
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(f) Handcuffs or other restraint devices may be used only by personnel who have
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successfully completed training approved by the Rhode Island police officer standards and training
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academy or another training program approved by the department of public safety.
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(g) Every institution exercising authority under this section shall:
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(1) Maintain written policies governing detention procedures, use of force, reporting
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requirements, and training standards;
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(2) Require annual training for all personnel authorized to conduct detentions;
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(3) Maintain records of all detentions for not less than five (5) years; and
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(4) Make such records available to law enforcement upon request.
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(h) Within twenty-four (24) hours of any detention conducted pursuant to this section, the
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institution shall prepare a written incident report documenting:
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(1) The reason for the detention;
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(2) The duration of the detention;
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(3) Any force or restraints utilized;
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(4) The law enforcement agency notified; and
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(5) The disposition of the incident.
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(i) A public safety officer, security officer, or institution acting in good faith and in
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reasonable reliance upon this section shall not be liable for civil damages arising from a detention
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authorized by this section, except for conduct constituting gross negligence, reckless conduct, or
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willful misconduct.
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(j) Nothing contained herein shall:
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(1) Authorize a search beyond that otherwise permitted by law;
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(2) Grant arrest powers to non-sworn personnel;
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(3) Confer peace officer status upon any individual; or
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(4) Limit any authority otherwise granted to special police officers appointed pursuant to
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chapter 2.1 of title 12.
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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 PROCEDURE -- ARREST
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This act would permit non-sworn public safety officers and security guards at private
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colleges and universities, to detain individuals within the campus jurisdiction, when the officer or
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guard has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed a criminal offense.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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