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SB 2599

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- RAILROAD, STEAMBOAT, AND BRIDGE POLICE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 2 co-sponsors

The bill keeps railroad fatality reports and related police communications confidential, allowing limited access for specified parties and penalizing improper disclosure.

05/29/2026 Referred to House State Government & Elections
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Bill Summary · SB 2599

Bill Overview

SB 2599, introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2026, would amend the Railroad, Steamboat, and Bridge Police chapter (chapter 12-2) to impose privacy protections for police reports and communications related to railroad fatalities. The bill classifies these records and communications as confidential, with limited access only to specified parties and under judicial or formal requests.

Purpose and Intent

  • To protect privacy and sensitivity surrounding railroad fatality investigations.
  • To restrict public disclosure of police reports and internal communications involving railroad fatalities, while preserving access for certain stakeholders and authorized entities.

Key Provisions

  • Confidentiality of Reports and Communications (12-2-9(a)):
    • Any police report related to a railroad fatality, and all communications between police officers and railroad crew members involved in the fatality, must not be made public.
    • Police departments must maintain these materials confidential, but they must remain accessible to:
    • The host railroad.
    • The railroad employer of any employee mentioned in the reports.
    • Any other person authorized by a judicial order, if access is necessary for the performance of duties.
    • Law enforcement officers or the office of the attorney general, upon written or electronic mail request, at reasonable times.
  • Permissible Disclosure (12-2-9(b)):
    • Communications between police and railroad employees concerning the fatality may be shared with the groups listed in subsection (a) if such sharing is necessary for performing duties.
  • Enforcement and Penalties (12-2-9(c)):
    • Violating the confidentiality provisions constitutes a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
  • Effective Date (Section 2):
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Law enforcement agencies handling railroad fatality incidents in Rhode Island.
  • Host railroads and railroad employers of involved employees.
  • Individuals or entities authorized by a judicial order or by law enforcement/Attorney General offices to access the records.
  • General public would have limited access, effectively restricting public dissemination of these reports.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill was introduced February 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • Committee actions: recommended for hold for further study on April 2, 2026.
  • Scheduled for consideration and potential action in May 2026 (noting the action history shows a hearing schedule).
  • Effective date: immediate upon passage.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Strengthens privacy protections for individuals involved in railroad fatality investigations.
  • Creates a clear framework for who may access sensitive reports and communications.
  • Introduces misdemeanor penalties to deter improper disclosure.
  • May affect media access and public transparency in railroad-related fatalities, shifting balance toward confidentiality for investigative materials.

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

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