S.2137

Prohibits handcuffing children twelve (12) or under at initial police contact unless needed for public safety or if the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer.

Introduced·1/16/26
Introduced Text

Rhode Island S2137 prohibits handcuffing children twelve or under at initial police contact unless needed for public safety or if the child is using.

Rhode Island S2137 amends the state's family court proceedings to prohibit handcuffing children twelve years old or under at initial police contact unless necessary for public safety or if the child is using or threatening physical force against an officer. The bill also stipulates that children twelve or under cannot be arrested or adjudicated as delinquent unless there is probable cause that they have committed a felony offense punishable by a term of up to life imprisonment. This act takes effect upon passage.

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Where it stands

Current
Judiciary Committee
Next
Session adjourned — paused until it reconvenes

Sponsors

DDDDD
5
0
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

Senate Committee on Judiciary: Be held for further study

8 Yea

DDDDDDRD

0 Nay

2 Absent

DD

Calendar

May 19

12:00 AM

Senate Judiciary Hearing

History

May 19

Senate

Committee recommended measure be held for further study

May 15

Senate

Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/19/2026)

Jan 16

Senate

Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary