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6/18/2025
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Legislature approves bill to give Family Court jurisdiction on military bases in Rhode Island
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STATE HOUSE — The General Assembly today approved legislation introduced by Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain and Rep. Robert E. Craven to give Rhode Island Family Court concurrent jurisdiction on juvenile cases arising on military bases and installations located in Rhode Island.
This bill (2025-S 0557aa, 2025-H 5222aa) would give state courts jurisdiction over cases involving a child who is alleged to have committed a crime within the boundaries of a military installation in Rhode Island, so long as the United States Attorney or the appropriate federal court waives exclusive jurisdiction and the alleged act is also a crime under state law.
“The federal system, which currently adjudicates all crimes on military bases in the state, simply doesn’t have the resources or infrastructure to properly deal with juvenile cases,” said Senator LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This bill would give those cases to Rhode Island Family Court, which is much better equipped to handle the specialized concerns of juvenile law.”
The bill was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, who also submitted testimony in support of its passage, noting that allowing state juvenile courts to adjudicate juvenile offenses allows “for more appropriate sentencing and case management outcomes.”
“The truth of the matter is that the federal judicial system is not equipped to properly deal with these types of cases across the country. This bill will move these juvenile cases to the Family Court, which has the resources and expertise to deal with these matters appropriately and in the best interests of the child,” said Chairman Craven (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown), who chairs the House Judiciary Committee.
The measure now moves to the governor’s office.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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