Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5911

Introduced
3/1/23  
Refer
3/1/23  
Report Pass
4/20/23  
Engrossed
5/4/23  

Caption

Indictments, Informations And Complaints

Impact

If enacted, H5911 would particularly affect how laws surrounding sexual assault and serious crimes are enforced in Rhode Island. By eliminating the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault and extending the limitation period for third-degree assault, the bill responds to concerns from victims and advocates about the challenges faced in reporting such offenses and the barriers that time limits impose on seeking justice. This legislative change would empower survivors by allowing them to come forward with their cases without the pressure of a ticking clock, ensuring that justice is pursued irrespective of when the crime occurred.

Summary

House Bill 5911 aims to amend the Rhode Island General Laws regarding the statute of limitations for various criminal offenses. Specifically, the bill proposes that no statute of limitations shall apply to serious crimes such as treason, homicide, robbery, and various degrees of sexual assault, including the newly included second-degree sexual assault. Furthermore, it establishes a ten-year statute of limitations for third-degree sexual assault offenses. The overarching goal is to ensure that victims of serious crimes are afforded the opportunity to seek justice regardless of the time elapsed since the offense occurred.

Contention

The bill has sparked discussions among legislators and stakeholders, particularly around the implications for accused individuals and the legal process. Proponents argue that the absence of a statute of limitations for certain crimes is essential for justice, especially for offenses that often go unreported for many years. Critics, however, express concerns about potential abuses of the system, arguing that the lack of a time limit might lead to difficulties in gathering evidence and defending against historic allegations. Consequently, the enactment of H5911 raises important questions about balancing the rights of victims against the rights of the accused.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0565

Provides for a 10 year statute of limitations for the violation of second degree sexual assault.

RI S2297

Provides for a 10 year statute of limitations for the violation of second degree sexual assault.

RI H8086

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

RI H6133

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

RI S3105

Provides that the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault shall be 10 years from the date of the offense, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, ten years from the victim’s eighteenth birthday, whichever is later.

RI HB4755

Adding Aggravated Vehicular Homicide to the list of qualifying offenses

RI A07215

Establishes the false reporting survivors act which establishes the crimes of aggravated falsely reporting an incident in the first, second, and third degrees when a person commits the crime of falsely reporting an incident in the first, second, or third degree and such person intended to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm another person because of a belief or perception regarding a person's race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or ethnicity; authorizes officers to arrest persons believed to have committed falsely reporting an incident without first obtaining a warrant; includes such falsely reporting as a hate crime; authorizes the law enforcement misconduct investigative office to receive and investigate complaints alleging falsely reporting an incident; establishes databases of law enforcement officers and persons convicted of falsely reporting; requires notifying persons of the termination of certain criminal actions or proceedings; relates to the statute of limitations for filing an action relating to falsely reporting.

RI HB5918

Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for certain crimes; update. Amends (See bill). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5907'26, HB 5908'26, HB 5909'26, HB 5910'26, HB 5911'26, HB 5912'26, HB 5913'26, HB 5914'26, HB 5915'26, HB 5916'26, HB 5917'26

RI A09127

Includes aggravated threat of mass harm, making a threat of mass harm, aggravated harassment in the second degree, harassment in the first degree, menacing in the third degree, menacing in the second degree, menacing in the first degree, and aggravated harassment in the first degree in being eligible for bail; makes aggravated threat of mass harm and making a threat of mass harm eligible to be considered hate crimes; increases the penalties for aggravated threat of mass harm and making a threat of mass harm.

RI HB2105

Felony reclassification; modifying classifications for certain crimes; effective date.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.