Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
S2712 2026 -- S 2712 ======== LC005527 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ 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: 1 SECTION 1. Section 42-28-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-28 entitled State 2 Police is hereby amended to read as follows: 3 42-28-19. Police powers of members — Fees — Duties — Suppression of riots. 4 Members of the division shall have and may exercise in any part of the state, with regard 5 to the enforcement of the criminal laws, and municipal ordinances, all powers of deputy sheriffs, 6 town sergeants, chiefs of police, police officers, and town constables. For purposes of enforcing 7 municipal ordinances, members of the division shall have authority to enforce only those 8 ordinances that provide for civil penalties and shall not enforce any ordinance for which a term of 9 imprisonment may be imposed. Any person authorized to issue criminal process may direct that 10 process to any member of the division. All fees received by members of the division in connection 11 with the performance of their duties shall be paid to the general treasurer for the use of the state. It 12 shall be the duty of its members to prevent and detect crime; to apprehend and assist in the 13 prosecution of offenders; and to assist in the investigation and prosecution of any criminal matters 14 within the state. The governor may command their services in the suppression of riots, but they 15 shall not exercise their powers within the limits of any city to suppress rioting except by direction 16 of the governor and upon the request of the mayor or chief of police of any city. 1 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC005527 ======== LC005527 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE *** 1 This act would authorize the state police to enforce municipal ordinances; provided that, 2 the ordinances provide for civil penalties only. 3 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC005527 ======== LC005527 - Page 3 of 3
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