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SB 307

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY-- POLICE RELATIONSHIP ACT OF 2015

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Bell and 2 co-sponsors

Defeated Rhode Island bill proposing reforms to motor vehicle stop procedures and police-community relations policies; rejected in committee after decade-long legislative stall.

06/20/2025 Defeated in Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 307

Legislative bill overview

SB 307, the Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act of 2015, addresses motor vehicle enforcement and police-community relations in Rhode Island. Though introduced in 2015, it remained in legislative limbo for a decade before recent action in 2025. The bill was defeated in committee on June 20, 2025, after being held for further study.

Why is this important

Motor vehicle stops are among the most frequent police-citizen interactions, making enforcement practices significant for public safety and community trust. Legislation governing these interactions affects both policing standards and citizens' rights during traffic stops. The bill's defeat suggests the legislature prioritized other priorities or had concerns about its specific provisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of police authority during stops: Likely debates over what officers can legally request, search, or investigate during routine traffic encounters
  • Data collection and transparency requirements: Potential disagreement on whether departments must track demographic data or report stop statistics to identify disparities
  • Community input in policing decisions: Tension between police operational independence and public accountability through community oversight mechanisms

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

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