AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE (Makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly file a false report of misconduct of any law enforcement official, public safety official, or hospital staff.)

S2302

2026 -- S 2302
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LC003953
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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 OFFENSES -- OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE

Introduced By:
Senators Dimitri, Patalano, Thompson, Tikoian, Famiglietti, Burke,
Rogers, Appollonio, Paolino, and de la Cruz

Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 11-32-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-32 entitled "Obstructing
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Justice" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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11-32-2.
False report of crime
False report of crime or official misconduct.
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(a)
Every person who shall knowingly make or cause to be made
, whether oral or written,

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a false statement of
a
:
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(1) A
crime,
either oral or written,
with intent that it be relied upon by a police officer of
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any city or town or by any member of the state police
,
:
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(2) An official formal complaint of misconduct by any law enforcement personnel and/or
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law enforcement department/agency; or
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(3) An official formal complaint of misconduct by emergency personnel and/or emergency
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department/agent;
shall be deemed guilty of
obstructing an officer

a misdemeanor
and shall be
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imprisoned not exceeding one year and/or be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), and
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shall in addition to this imprisonment and/or fine be ordered to make restitution to the person falsely
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accused of a crime
or misconduct
for any damage which the person sustained as a result of the false
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complaint.
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(b) For purposes of this section:
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(1) “Law enforcement” means any permanently employed city or town police officer, state
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police officer, public safety officer, sheriff, or capitol police officer.
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(2) "Emergency personnel" means emergency services officials, first aid, emergency

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medical technicians and personnel, fire safety officials and hospital staff.
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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 OFFENSES -- OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE
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This act would make it a misdemeanor to knowingly file a false report of misconduct of
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any law enforcement official, public safety official, or hospital staff.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003953
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