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SB 3263

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt LaMountain

The bill expands eligible offenses and adds new, broader compensation and mental-health coverage for victims and dependents, with faster, six-month payout goals.

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 3263

Summary of bill: SB 3263 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Aim and purpose

  • This act amends the Rhode Island Criminal Injuries Compensation program (Chapter 12-25) to:
    • Expand the types of offenses eligible for compensation.
    • Add new categories of expenses and recipients eligible for compensation.
    • Clarify and adjust how compensation is determined and paid.
  • Overall goal: ensure victims of more crimes and related expenses can receive financial support through the state Criminal Injuries Compensation program.

Key provisions and changes

Offenses eligible for compensation (Section 12-25-20)

The list of offenses for which the compensation office may award benefits is expanded to include (and, in some cases, maintain):
1. Assault with intent to commit murder, robbery, or rape
2. Assault with a dangerous weapon
3. Assault and battery
4. Mayhem
5. Indecent assault and battery on a child under 13
6. Arson or statutory burning
7. Kidnapping
8. Robbery or larceny from that person
9. Murder
10. Manslaughter
11. First or second degree sexual assault
12. Child molestation (first or second degree)
13. The abominable and detestable crime against nature or assault with intent to commit that crime; stalking (per statute 11-59-2)
14. Driving under the influence (DUI)
15. Refusal to submit to a chemical test after a collision
16. Driving so as to endanger resulting in death (per statute 31-27-1)
17. Driving so as to endanger resulting in personal injury (per statute 31-27-1.1)
18. Any other crime (excluding motor vehicle offenses not enumerated) that results in personal injury or death
19. Failure to stop by a driver in circumstances resulting in death (per statute 31-26-1)

Note: The explanatory text indicates that larceny and the “abominable and detestable crime against nature” offenses are removal/additions to the compensable list, depending on current drafting interpretation.

Nature and scope of compensation (Section 12-25-21)

  • The office may award compensation for:

    1. Actual and reasonable expenses incurred due to the victim’s injury or death.
    2. Pecuniary loss to the dependents of the deceased victim.
    3. Other reasonable and necessary pecuniary losses resulting from the injury or death.
    4. Supplemental awards for additional medical expenses (including psychiatric care and mental health counseling) with proper documentation, provided total awards do not exceed the statutory maximum.
    5. Psychiatric care and mental health counseling expenses for a parent, spouse, sibling, or child of a victim who dies from a violent crime, with proper documentation.
    6. Psychiatric care and mental health counseling expenses for a “secondary victim” (e.g., a witness), with documentation; such awards are capped at $1,500 and do not apply once the secondary victim reaches 18.
    7. For stalking victims: emergency relocation or reasonable home modifications under a separate provision (12-25-21.1) only; no other compensation unless the stalking victim was also the victim of another compensable offense.

  • When determining the amount, the office will consider:

    • Rates and amounts payable under other state and federal statutes.
    • The amount of revenue in the violent crimes indemnity account.
    • The number and nature of pending claims.

  • The office aims to pay compensation within six months of the application date.

Who is affected

  • Victims of the listed offenses may be eligible for compensation.
  • Family members and dependents of deceased victims may receive pecuniary losses.
  • Victims and their families may access expanded medical/psychiatric care reimbursements.
  • Secondary victims (e.g., witnesses) may receive limited psychiatric care assistance.
  • Victims of stalking gain access to relocation or home modification support, but only under the stalking-specific provision (12-25-21.1) and with the constraint that other compensation is only available if they are also the victim of another compensable offense.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.
  • Administrative process: The Office of the General Treasurer (Criminal Injuries Compensation program) will review applications, determine eligibility, and award compensation.
  • Payment timeline: The act directs aiming to disburse compensation within six months of application, subject to funding and claims status.
  • Financial oversight: Awards consider other statutes and funding levels, as well as the balance of the violent crimes indemnity account.

Explanatory notes (explanation accompanying the bill)

  • The bill clarifies two main policy shifts:
    • Victims of stalking can obtain relocation or home modification costs under the program.
    • Certain offenses (larceny and the abominable and detestable crime against nature) are addressed in the context of compensability; the explanatory note mentions removal or adjustment of some categories, aligning with the rest of the bill’s changes.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current law to highlight every change in plain language.

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

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