Rhode Island S2162 requires courts to consider parental status at sentencing and allows family impact statements.

Rhode Island S2162 mandates that courts consider the parental status of defendants at sentencing and permits them to present a family impact statement. This statement can include testimony, videos, and documents related to their parental status. The court must weigh the risk to the community against the harm of the parent's absence from the child's life before imposing a sentence. If the court finds that the parent poses a significant risk to the community, it may impose a sentence that does not include imprisonment. This act takes effect upon passage.

Rhode Island S2162 requires courts to consider parental status at sentencing and allows family impact statements.

Rhode Island S2162 mandates that courts consider the parental status of defendants at sentencing and permits them to present a family impact statement. This statement can include testimony, videos, and documents related to their parental status. The court must weigh the risk to the community against the harm of the parent's absence from the child's life before imposing a sentence. If the court finds that the parent poses a significant risk to the community, it may impose a sentence that does not include imprisonment. This act takes effect upon passage.