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HB 7144

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- JURY LISTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dick Fascia and 3 co-sponsors

Rhode Island bill adjusts judicial jury list procedures, potentially affecting juror privacy protections, demographic representation, and court administrative operations.

01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
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Bill Summary · HB 7144

Legislative bill overview

HB 7144 modifies procedures related to jury list compilation and management in Rhode Island courts. The bill adjusts how juror information is collected, maintained, and utilized in the state's judicial system. Specific amendments to jury procedures affect both administrative operations and potential juror privacy considerations.

Why is this important

Jury lists form the foundation of the jury selection process, directly impacting the representativeness and legitimacy of trials. Changes to how these lists are created and managed can affect jury diversity, juror accessibility, court efficiency, and the balance between public participation in the justice system and personal privacy protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Data privacy and juror information: Modifications to jury list procedures may raise questions about how personal information is collected, stored, and accessed by courts and attorneys
  • Jury pool representation: Changes could affect whether jury pools adequately represent the community's demographic diversity, a longstanding concern in criminal justice reform
  • Implementation costs: Administrative changes to jury management systems may require new funding, staff training, or technology upgrades for courts

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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