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.
H6133 revises Rhode Island’s criminal statute of limitations rules in Chapter 12-12 for a broad set of offenses, but its central focus is sexual assault. The bill provides that second-degree sexual assault may be prosecuted within 10 years of the offense, or, if the victim was under 18 at the time, within 10 years of the victim’s 18th birthday, whichever is later. It also changes the limitations period for third-degree sexual assault so that the 3-year clock runs from the victim’s 18th birthday rather than from the date of the offense.
Beyond those sexual assault changes, the bill restates and organizes limitation periods for other crimes: no limitation period for the most serious offenses, a 10-year period for certain fraud, corruption, racketeering, elder exploitation, and mortgage/bank fraud offenses, a 7-year discovery-based period for specified environmental violations, and a 3-year default period for other offenses unless another law provides otherwise. It also applies the same limitations period to principals, accessories, and conspirators, and takes effect immediately upon passage.
The bill amends Rhode Island General Laws § 12-12-17, changing when prosecutors may bring charges for certain crimes, especially sexual assault cases involving minors. The practical effect is to extend the time available to investigate and prosecute second- and third-degree sexual assault, while preserving or clarifying existing limitation periods for other categories of offenses such as fraud, bribery, racketeering, environmental crimes, and serious violent crimes. It affects criminal defendants, victims, prosecutors, and law enforcement by altering the timing rules for filing charges.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the overall sentiment appears neutral to supportive in purpose, with the bill framed as a prosecutorial and victim-protection measure. The caption and explanation emphasize extending the window for sexual assault prosecutions, particularly for victims who were minors, which suggests a policy goal likely to receive support from advocates for survivors and child protection. No contrary views are documented in the provided materials.
The main point of contention likely concerns the extension of criminal exposure periods, especially for second- and third-degree sexual assault, because longer limitation periods can raise fairness, evidence-preservation, and due-process concerns for defendants. Another possible issue is the broader restructuring of limitation periods across many offense categories, though the bill’s stated explanation highlights only the sexual assault changes. No specific objections, amendments, or divided votes are included in the provided record.