WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 2297

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lou Raptakis and 2 co-sponsors

The bill broadens look-back periods by creating no-limit offenses for the most serious crimes and extends or sets specific time frames (notably 10 years for second-degree sexual as

04/30/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2297

Summary of SB 2297 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- INDICTMENTS, INFORMATIONS AND COMPLAINTS

Purpose and intent

  • The bill modifies statutory of limitations for various criminal offenses in Rhode Island.
  • It introduces a set of differentiated time limits (or no limit) depending on the offense, with a notable emphasis on extending the period for certain serious crimes, including second-degree sexual assault.

Key provisions

1) No statute of limitations

  • Offenses with no statute of limitations:
    • Treason against the state
    • Any homicide
    • Arson (all degrees listed)
    • Burglary
    • Counterfeiting
    • Forgery
    • Robbery
    • Rape
    • First-degree sexual assault
    • First-degree child molestation sexual assault
    • Second-degree child molestation sexual assault
    • Bigamy
    • Manufacturing, selling, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or distribute a controlled substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Chapter 28 of Title 21)
    • Any other offense for which the maximum penalty is life imprisonment

2) Ten-year statute of limitations

  • Offenses with a 10-year statute of limitations include:
    • Various forms of larceny and related fraud/embezzlement statutes (e.g., receiving stolen goods, embezzlement, obtaining property by false pretenses, bank embezzlement, etc.)
    • Any larceny punishable as a felony
    • Bribery (Chapter 7 of Title 11)
    • Giving false documents to a public official
    • Perjury
    • Threats and extortion (Chapter 42 of Title 11)
    • Racketeering offenses (RICO-related: Chapter 15 of Title 7; Chapter 57 of Title 11)
    • Racketeer violence (Chapter 36 of Title 6)
    • Antitrust violations (Chapter 36 of Title 6)
    • Exploitation of an elder (§ 11-68-2)
    • Unlawful appropriation (§ 11-41-11.1)
    • False financial statements to obtain loans (§ 11-18-6)
    • False statements to obtain loans (§ 19-9-28, § 19-9-29)
    • Residential mortgage fraud (§ 11-18-34)
    • Second-degree sexual assault (explicitly listed with a 10-year limit)

3) Three-year statute of limitations

  • All other criminal offenses not listed above shall have a 3-year statute of limitations, unless statutes elsewhere provide a longer period.

4) Conspiracy and participation

  • Any participant in an offense (principal, accessory, or conspirator) is subject to the same statute of limitations as the substantive offense.

5) Seven-year statute of limitations for certain environmental and water-related offenses

  • Seven-year limit for offenses involving:
    • Refuse disposal (Chapter 18.9, Title 23)
    • Solid waste management corporation (Chapter 19, Title 23)
    • Hazardous waste management (Chapter 19.1, Title 23)
    • Water pollution (Chapter 12, Title 46)
    • Public drinking water supply (Chapter 13, Title 46)
  • The seven-year period runs from the time the facts became known to law enforcement, unless a longer period is provided elsewhere.

Effective date

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Additional context from explanatory note

  • The explanatory text highlights a specific change: adding a 10-year statute of limitations for the offense of second-degree sexual assault.
  • The bill is currently in Senate Judiciary and was recommended to be held for further study (as of the latest action history).

Who/what is affected

  • Offenders and victims in Rhode Island criminal cases, particularly:
    • Those charged with or investigating serious crimes with no, 7-, 10-, or 3-year limits
    • Offenses involving elder exploitation, mortgage/financial fraud, racketeering, and environmental/water-related violations
    • Parties involved in conspiracies or accomplice theories
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors, who must operate under revised timing rules for charges, indictments, and informations.

Summary assessment

  • SB 2297 refines and expands the statute of limitations landscape in Rhode Island, increasing the window for certain offenses (notably second-degree sexual assault) while preserving or creating non-limitation or longer periods for the most severe crimes. It also streamlines consistency for conspirators and aligns environmental/water offenses with longer look-back periods. The bill emphasizes timely reporting for a subset of offenses by imposing clear timelines and ensuring accountability across actors involved in criminal schemes.

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

Sign in to ask a question.