WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 7584

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 8 co-sponsors

Creates a dedicated funding stream for crime victim compensation by adding court surcharges on defendants to fund the Criminal Injuries Compensation program.

04/29/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7584

Summary of HB 7584 (Rhode Island, 2026) – AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

Overview

HB 7584 would create and fund a violent crimes indemnity account within Rhode Island’s General Fund to support awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation program. The funding mechanism relies on added court costs assessed against defendants in criminal and traffic offenses, including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations. The act would take effect one year after passage.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a dedicated funding stream for the state's criminal injuries/crime victim compensation program via increased court costs.
  • Ensure continued payment of awards to victims of crime by earmarking additional fines and surcharges to the special indemnity account.
  • Create a mechanism to collect and transfer surcharge funds to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, while allowing court options to manage payment obligations in multi-count cases.

Key Provisions and Changes

1) Special Indemnity Account and Funding Source

  • The General Treasurer would establish a violent crimes indemnity account within the General Fund to pay awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation program.
  • Court costs for defendants are increased as follows, with the higher amount applying if both calculations could apply:
    • Felony offense with a maximum penalty of 5+ years imprisonment: $150 OR 15% of any court-imposed fine, whichever is greater.
    • Felony offense with a maximum penalty under 5 years: $90 OR 15% of any court-imposed fine, whichever is greater.
    • Misdemeanor offense: $30 OR 15% of any court-imposed fine, whichever is greater.
    • Civil or criminal traffic violation (excluding parking violations): $1 of any fine imposed per charged offense.
  • Clerks of courts in each municipality would collect these surcharges and transmit them to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund within 30 days.

2) Collection and Financial Administration

  • The assessed costs are mandatory regardless of whether the defendant is sentenced to prison, and cannot be waived unless the court finds an inability to pay.
  • When there are multiple counts/charges disposed of simultaneously, the judge may suspend the obligation to pay on all counts above two.

3) Use of Funds and Federal Matching

  • Up to 15% of state funds raised under this section (plus federal matching funds) would be available to pay administrative expenses necessary to operate the program.
  • Federal funds used for administration must not supplant existing state funds in a manner that would violate federal law.

4) Effective Date

  • The act would take effect one year after passage.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Defendants facing felony, misdemeanor, or traffic offenses (including those who plead no contest or are found guilty).
  • Clerks of courts across municipalities responsible for collecting the new surcharges.
  • The state Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund (Criminal Injuries Compensation) which would receive the new funds to support awards to crime victims.
  • Administrative operations of the Criminal Injuries Compensation program (via the 15% administrative funding provision).

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction Date: February 6, 2026
  • Referred to: House Finance (General Treasurer)
  • Committee Action: Recommended be held for further study (April 29, 2026)
  • Effective Date: One year after passage

Potential Impact

  • Provides a dedicated funding stream to support compensation for crime victims, potentially increasing the program’s solvency and timeliness of awards.
  • Shifts some financial burden to defendants through higher night-of-charge surcharges, with protections for indigent defendants (inability to pay exception).
  • Creates a straightforward administrative framework for collecting and transferring funds to the victim compensation program, including provisions to cover administrative costs with a portion of the funds.

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

Sign in to ask a question.