AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 8 co-sponsors

Makes it illegal to resist both lawful and unlawful arrests by a peace officer or to resist a correctional officer’s directives, with penalties up to 500 fine and/or 1 year in pris

06/22/2026 Signed by Governor

Overview

SB 2733 (Rhode Island, 2026) is a criminal procedure bill focusing on resisting arrests. It clarifies prohibitions on using force or weapons to resist both legal and illegal arrests by peace officers, and extends similar restrictions to individuals in the custody of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (DOC). The act sets penalties for violations and takes effect upon passage.

Purpose and intent

Prohibits individuals from using force or weapons to resist:

A lawful or unlawful arrest conducted by a peace officer, when the arrestee has reasonable grounds to believe the arrest is being made by a peace officer.
Any directive or request by a correctional officer to a person in DOC custody.

Establishes minimum enforcement standards to deter resistance to law enforcement and correctional directives, aiming to protect officer safety and institutional operation.

Key provisions

12-7-10 amended:

(a)(1) It is unlawful to use force or a weapon to resist a lawful or unlawful arrest by a peace officer, provided the arrestee reasonably believes an arrest is being conducted by a peace officer.
(a)(2) It is unlawful for a person in DOC custody to use force or a weapon to resist an unlawful or lawful request or directive by a correctional officer.
(b) Penalties: Violators face a fine of up to $500 and/or up to one year in prison, or both.

Section 2 (Effective date): The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

General public: Individuals who might be arrested by peace officers.

Inmates and other individuals in DOC custody: Those subject to correctional directives or requests from correctional staff.

Peace officers and correctional officers: The framework affects enforcement actions and potential charging for resisting arrest or directives.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2026.

Referred to Senate Judiciary.

Committee actions:

March 6, 2026: Scheduled for hearing/consideration.
March 10, 2026: Committee recommended the measure be held for further study.
June 5, 2026: Scheduled for consideration (as of action history).

Enactment: The bill would become law upon passage (no separate effective date beyond passage).

Summary of potential impact

Clarifies that resisting both lawful and unlawful arrests by peace officers is unlawful when the arrestee reasonably believes the arrest is being conducted by a peace officer.

Extends a similar restriction to requests or directives from correctional officers to DOC custody individuals.

Applies modest penalties (up to $500 fine and/or up to one year in prison) for violations.

May deter resistance and enhance safety for law enforcement and correctional staff.

Could influence how cases involving resistance are charged and prosecuted in Rhode Island.