CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT, the official text

H8063 2026 -- H 8063 ======== LC005198 ======== 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: Representatives Roberts, Hull, McNamara, Edwards, Bennett, Casey, Solomon, Serpa, Azzinaro, and Costantino Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Sections 11-37-3 and 11-37-8.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-37 entitled 2 Sexual Assault are hereby amended to read as follows: 3 11-37-3. Penalty for first degree sexual assault. 4 Every person who shall commit sexual assault in the first degree shall be imprisoned for a 5 period not less than ten (10) years and may be imprisoned for life ; provided, however, that the 6 sentencing court shall ensure that the victim or victims approve of any negotiated sentence imposed 7 on the offender . 8 11-37-8.2. Penalty for first degree child molestation sexual assault. 9 Every person who shall commit first degree child molestation sexual assault shall be 10 imprisoned for a period of not less than twenty-five (25) years and may be imprisoned for life ; 11 provided, however, that the sentencing court shall ensure that the victim or victims, or their parents 12 or guardian, approve of the any negotiated sentence imposed on the offender . 13 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC005198 ======== EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT *** 1 This act would require that any court sentencing a person for first degree sexual assault or 2 first degree child molestation, have the approval of the victim before imposing any negotiated 3 sentence upon the offender. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC005198 ======== LC005198 - Page 2 of 2