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HB 8156

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

Creates a state-funded mechanism (DVSASS Fund) to sustain survivor services for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, and dating violence.

05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 8156

Summary of HB 8156 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a dedicated state fund to support evidence-based direct services and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, and dating violence in Rhode Island.
  • Address gaps in federal survivor funding by creating a stable, state-supported funding stream to sustain victim-services programs.

Key provisions

  • Creation of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivor Services Fund (DVSASS Fund)

    • Administered by the VOCA (Victim of Crime Act) administrator for Rhode Island.
    • Money from the fund must be used to support non-profit organizations that provide services and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, and dating violence in Rhode Island.

  • Funding sources and initial capitalization

    • Initial appropriation: A one-time deposit of $1,000,000 from the General Fund in the inaugural year.
    • Ongoing funding: 10% of proceeds from any multistate attorney general settlements, with an annual cap of $5,000,000 per settlement.
    • The fund may also receive monies from philanthropic donations.

  • Advisory governance

    • Establishes a statewide advisory committee to guide the fund, chaired by the DVSASS administrator.
    • Committee composition should include and is not limited to:
    • Executive directors of Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sojourner House, and Day One (or their designees)
    • Directors of the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Public Safety Grant Administration Office (or designees)
    • Attorney General (or designee)
    • General Treasurer (or designee)
    • The committee is responsible for stewarding the fund and making funding decisions.

  • Fund operations and grantmaking

    • Develop a plan and budget for distributing funds.
    • Create criteria for awarding grants to eligible non-profit organizations whose primary mission includes reducing domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
    • Issue requests for proposals (RFPs) and review proposals to determine grant awards.

  • Reporting and accountability

    • The DVSASS administrator must monitor and annually report on fund use and impact.
    • The annual report must include detailed expenditure data and funded programs and be posted on the Department of Public Safety website and transmitted to the General Assembly no later than February 28th of each year, starting in 2027.

  • Policy goals and commitments

    • Promote the development and sustainability of trauma-informed services and specialized advocacy for survivors in Rhode Island.

Who is affected

  • Non-profit service providers delivering direct services and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, and dating violence in Rhode Island.
  • Survivors who will benefit from increased access to funded services (shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, counseling, etc.).
  • State agencies and officials involved in administration, oversight, and reporting (VOCA administrator, advisory committee members, and the DPS Grant Administration Office).

Timeline and effective date

  • Effective date: Upon passage of the act.
  • First-year funding and reporting: Inaugural $1,000,000 General Fund investment; first annual accountability reports due February 28 of the following year (2027) and subsequently each year.

Financial and policy impact

  • Creates a stable, state-supported funding mechanism to sustain survivor services amid fluctuating federal funding.
  • Encourages evidence-based programming and accountability through a formal advisory structure and annual reporting.
  • Establishes clear funding sources (initial capital, settlement proceeds, and philanthropic donations) and a foreseeable governance framework to distribute funds.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law (12-29) or draft a one-page briefing for policymakers.

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

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