AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BAIL BOND AGENTS AND BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS (Prohibits bail bond agents and bail bond recovery agents from engaging in civil immigration enforcement, define such conduct as unprofessional, and subject violators to professional discipline under Rhode Island law.)

S2488

2026 -- S 2488
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LC004343
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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 -- BAIL BOND AGENTS AND
BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS

Introduced By:
Senators Kallman, Ciccone, Mack, Acosta, Vargas, Euer, McKenney,
Felag, Lawson, and DiPalma

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
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 169
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BAIL BOND AGENTS AND BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS
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42-169-1. Unprofessional conduct -- Civil immigration enforcement prohibited.

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In addition to any other acts constituting unprofessional conduct under Rhode Island law
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or regulation, the following conduct by a bail bond agent or bail bond recovery agent shall
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constitute unprofessional conduct:
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(1) Using the authority, position, or resources of a bail bond agent or bail bond recovery
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agent to engage in civil immigration enforcement.
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(2) Assisting, facilitating, or participating in the enforcement of a civil immigration
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warrant, detainer, administrative warrant, or other civil immigration process issued by a federal
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immigration authority.
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(3) Knowingly inquiring into, collecting, disclosing, or sharing information regarding a
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defendant’s or third party’s actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status, except where
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required by law or pursuant to a court order.
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42-169-2. Definitions.

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For the purposes of this chapter, “Civil immigration enforcement” means any action taken

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for the purpose of detecting, apprehending, detaining, transferring, or assisting in the removal of
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an individual based solely on an alleged violation of federal civil immigration law and not pursuant
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to a criminal warrant issued by a judicial officer.
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42-169-3. Savings clause.

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Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a bail bond agent or bail bond
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recovery agent from apprehending a defendant pursuant to a valid criminal warrant, court order, or
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contractual obligation related to bail; provided that, such action is not undertaken for the purpose
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of civil immigration enforcement.
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42-169-4. Discipline and enforcement.

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A violation of this chapter shall subject a bail bond agent or bail bond recovery agent to
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discipline by the appropriate licensing or regulatory authority including, but not limited to, license
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suspension, revocation, denial of renewal, or the imposition of civil penalties, in accordance with
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applicable law.
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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 -- BAIL BOND AGENTS AND
BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS
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This act would prohibit bail bond agents and bail bond recovery agents from engaging in
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civil immigration enforcement, define such conduct as unprofessional, and subject violators to
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professional discipline under Rhode Island law, including license suspension, revocation, denial of
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renewal and civil penalties.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004343
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