AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT (Increases minimum sentence for first degree sexual assault and provides first 10 years of a sentence for first degree sexual assault not be subject to a suspension or deferment of sentence.)

S2597

2026 -- S 2597
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LC003339
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT

Introduced By:
Senators de la Cruz, and Rogers

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Sections 11-37-3 and 11-37-8.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-37 entitled
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"Sexual Assault" are hereby amended to read as follows:
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11-37-3. Penalty for first degree sexual assault.
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Every person who shall commit sexual assault in the first degree shall be imprisoned for a
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period not less than
ten (10)

fifteen (15)
years
; provided that, the first ten (10) years shall be served
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and the person shall not be afforded the benefits of determent or suspension of sentence
and may
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be imprisoned for life.
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11-37-8.2. Penalty for first degree child molestation sexual assault.
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Every person who shall commit first degree child molestation sexual assault shall be
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imprisoned for a period of not less than twenty- five (25) years
; provided that, the first ten (10)
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years shall be served and the person shall not be afforded the benefits of determent or suspension
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of sentence
and may be imprisoned for life.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall be applicable to all those
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offenses committed after the effective date of this section.
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LC003339
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT
***
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This act would increase the minimum sentence for first degree sexual assault and provide
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that the first ten (10) years of a sentence for first degree sexual assault not be subject to a suspension
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or deferment of sentence. This act would provide that the first ten (10) years of a sentence for first
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degree child molestation sexual assault not be subject to a suspension or deferment of sentence.
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This act would take effect upon passage and would be applicable to all those offenses
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committed after the effective date of this section.
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LC003339
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