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3/31/2026
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MEDIA ADVISORY: House Judiciary Committee meets on Thursday to vote on several bills relating to sexual assault
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Includes legislation recommended in Attorney General’s clergy sex abuse report
STATE HOUSE – The House Judiciary Committee will meet on Thursday, April 2 at the RISE of the House (approximately 5 p.m.) in the House Lounge to vote on several bills relating to sexual assault and domestic violence.
Chaired by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett), the committee will vote on the following bills recommended in the Attorney General’s clergy sex abuse report:
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2026-H 7200, sponsored by Chairwoman McEntee, makes all causes of action based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child not subject to any statute of limitations whether the claim has lapsed or was previously time-barred.
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2026-H 8086A, sponsored by Chairwoman McEntee, provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim's eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.
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2026-H 8093, sponsored by Chairwoman McEntee, expands the definition of “educational program” for purposes of the Abused and Neglected Children General Law to include charter schools, parochial schools, after school programs, camps and various other programs involving children.
The committee will also consider the following pieces of legislation:
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2026-H 7133A, sponsored by Rep. John J. Lombardi (D-Dist. 8, Providence), permits the Family Court to award custody of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.
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2026-H 7547, sponsored by Rep. Jenni A. Furtado (D-Dist. 64, East Providence, Pawtucket), permits victims of stalking to recover for expenses related to relocation or home modification under the crime victim compensation program.
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2026-H 7648, sponsored by Chairwoman McEntee, requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.
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2026-H 7649, sponsored by Rep. Matthew S. Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence), requires that all monies received from the payment of fines under the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking be deposited into the into the violent crimes indemnity account within the general fund.
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2026-H 7653, sponsored by Rep. Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket), allows for the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault reporting forms by law enforcement agencies, enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms, and clarifies that the reporting forms should be submitted monthly.
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2026-H 7656, sponsored by Chairwoman McEntee, authorizes the State Retirement Board to revoke or reduce an individual's pension benefit if that individual is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to a felony sex crime related to their public office or public employment.
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2026-H 8064, sponsored by Rep. Earl A. Read III (D-Dist. 26, Coventry, West Warwick, Warwick), provides that violations of § 11-37.1-10 relating to failing to register as a sex offender are subject to the duration and frequency of registrations pursuant to § 11-37.1-4.
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2026-H 8080, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown), provides that a defendant's third and subsequent violation of domestic violence offenses, including both prior felony and misdemeanor convictions, would be punishable as a felony.
Among the legislation scheduled to be heard are the following bills:
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2026-H 7134, sponsored by Representative Lombardi, establishes the Rhode Island First Step Program requiring Department of Corrections to assist offenders with reintegration into society, counseling, medical care, education, early sentence termination or pre-release confinement for elderly and terminally ill offenders.
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2026-H 7281, sponsored by Rep. Cheri L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket), reduces the time for expungements to 3 years for a single misdemeanor and 5 years for felonies and multiple misdemeanors.
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2026-H 7432, sponsored by Minority Whip David J. Place (R-Dist. 47, Burrillville, Glocester), prohibits prosecutions for crimes in Rhode Island if the prosecution arises from the same facts or acts for which the defendant was acquitted in another jurisdiction, unless newly discovered evidence substantially warrants prosecution.
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2026-H 7508, sponsored by Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter), authorizes the automatic expungement of eligible conviction records by operation of law, initiated and completed by state agencies through electronic processes established within the judicial system.
The meeting will be televised by Capitol Television on: Cox Communications, channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3Broadband (Formerly Full Channel) on 15; and Verizon, on channel 34. Livestreaming is available at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv
For more information, contact:
Larry Berman, Communications Director for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 322
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 447-2655
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