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SB 2488

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BAIL BOND AGENTS AND BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island bail bond agents may not participate in civil immigration enforcement, disclose immigration status, or assist federal processes, with licensing penalties for violation

05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2488

Summary of Bill: SB 2488 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — BAIL BOND AGENTS AND BAIL BOND RECOVERY AGENTS

Purpose and Intent

  • Prohibits civil immigration enforcement activities by bail bond agents and bail bond recovery agents in Rhode Island.
  • Establishes unprofessional conduct standards specific to civil immigration enforcement within the bail bond industry.
  • Provides for discipline by licensing/regulatory authorities for violators.

Key Provisions

1) Unprofessional Conduct (42-169-1)

A bail bond agent or bail bond recovery agent commits unprofessional conduct if they:
- (1) Use their authority or resources to engage in civil immigration enforcement.
- (2) Assist, facilitate, or participate in enforcing a civil immigration warrant, detainer, administrative warrant, or other civil immigration process from a federal immigration authority.
- (3) Knowingly inquire into, collect, disclose, or share information about a defendant’s or third party’s immigration or citizenship status, except as required by law or a court order.

2) Definitions (42-169-2)

  • Defines “Civil immigration enforcement” as actions aimed at detecting, apprehending, detaining, transferring, or assisting in the removal of an individual based solely on alleged violations of federal civil immigration law, and not under a criminal warrant.

3) Savings Clause (42-169-3)

  • Clarifies that nothing in this act prohibits bail bond agents from apprehending a defendant under a valid criminal warrant, court order, or contractual bail obligation, provided the action is not undertaken for civil immigration enforcement purposes.

4) Discipline and Enforcement (42-169-4)

  • Violations may lead to discipline by the appropriate licensing or regulatory authority, including:
    • License suspension
    • License revocation
    • Denial of license renewal
    • Civil penalties
  • Imposes consequences in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Scope and Affected Parties

  • Affects: Bail bond agents and bail bond recovery agents operating in Rhode Island.
  • Regulatory impact: Adds a new chapter (Chapter 169) under Title 42 (State Affairs and Government) governing professional conduct and enforcement actions specific to civil immigration enforcement practices by bail bond professionals.

Timeline and Effective Date

  • Effective upon passage of the act.
  • Action history indicates introduction on February 6, 2026, with a scheduled hearing/consideration in May 2026.

Potential Impact

  • Clarifies and restricts the involvement of bail bonds professionals in civil immigration enforcement, aligning their conduct with anti-immigration enforcement expectations.
  • Provides a clear framework for disciplinary measures against professionals who engage in such activities.
  • Could reduce collaboration between the Rhode Island bail bond industry and federal civil immigration enforcement efforts.
  • May impact how bail bond agents handle information related to defendants’ immigration status, requiring caution and limiting disclosure unless legally mandated.

Practical Takeaways

  • If enacted, bail bond agents and recovery agents must avoid participating in civil immigration enforcement, assisting federal authorities in civil immigration processes, or seeking/relaying immigration status information beyond legal or court-ordered requirements.
  • Violations open the door to regulatory discipline, including license actions and fines.

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

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