AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE (Authorizes the state police to enforce municipal ordinances; provided that, the ordinances provide for civil penalties only.)

S2712

2026 -- S 2712
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LC005527
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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 -- STATE POLICE

Introduced By:
Senators Ciccone, Burke, Patalano, and Appollonio

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 42-28-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-28 entitled "State
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Police" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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42-28-19. Police powers of members — Fees — Duties — Suppression of riots.
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Members of the division shall have and may exercise in any part of the state, with regard
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to the enforcement of the criminal laws,
and municipal ordinances,
all powers of deputy sheriffs,
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town sergeants, chiefs of police, police officers, and town constables.
For purposes of enforcing
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municipal ordinances, members of the division shall have authority to enforce only those
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ordinances that provide for civil penalties and shall not enforce any ordinance for which a term of
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imprisonment may be imposed.
Any person authorized to issue criminal process may direct that
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process to any member of the division. All fees received by members of the division in connection
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with the performance of their duties shall be paid to the general treasurer for the use of the state. It
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shall be the duty of its members to prevent and detect crime; to apprehend and assist in the
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prosecution of offenders; and to assist in the investigation and prosecution of any criminal matters
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within the state. The governor may command their services in the suppression of riots, but they
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shall not exercise their powers within the limits of any city to suppress rioting except by direction
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of the governor and upon the request of the mayor or chief of police of any city.

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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 -- STATE POLICE
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This act would authorize the state police to enforce municipal ordinances; provided that,
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the ordinances provide for civil penalties only.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005527
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