Rhode Island Bill Makes Sex Offender Residency Within 300 Feet of Schools a Felony

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION (Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.)

Last action · April 1, 2026: Referred to House JudiciarySponsors: Todd Patalano and 9 others

Companion · H 8065same policy, House version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Proposed

Registered sex offenders in Rhode Island are prohibited from living within 300 feet of a school, with violations classified as a offense.

Why it matters

Changes criminal liability for registered sex offenders by imposing charges for maintaining a residence near educational facilities.

Background

State legislatures frequently introduce residency restriction bills to establish buffer zones around schools and daycares for individuals convicted of sex offenses. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Registered sex offenders

Individuals registered as sex offenders face felony charges if they establish residency within 300 feet of a school.

Directly affected

Schools

Educational facilities become the center of a 300-foot restricted residency zone where registered sex offenders are prohibited from living.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does this restriction apply to?

It applies to any person who is required to register as a sex offender.

What is the prohibited distance from a school?

Registered sex offenders are prohibited from living within three hundred feet (300') of a school.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the Senate · in House committee.

Procedural history

8 actions

Apr 1, 2026Committee
Referred to House Judiciary
Mar 31, 2026Floor
Senate read and passed
Mar 27, 2026
Placed on Senate Calendar (03/31/2026)
Mar 26, 2026Floor
Committee recommends passage
Mar 24, 2026
Scheduled for consideration (03/26/2026)
Mar 12, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Show 2 earlier actions

Mar 6, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/12/2026)
Jan 23, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →