Rhode Island bill exempts registered nonprofits from local background checks for permitted games of chance

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES (Allows nonprofit organizations to participate in permitted games of chance upon registering with the state police on an annual basis. The nonprofit would be exempt from any required background checks by local law enforcement.)

Last action · March 24, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsors: Stephen Casey and 9 others

Companion · S 2918same policy, Senate version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island are allowed to participate in permitted by completing an annual registration with the state police, exempting them from any local law enforcement background checks.

Why it matters

Changes the compliance process and vetting requirements for charitable organizations wishing to host by replacing local background checks with a centralized state police registration.

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

Nonprofit organizations

Nonprofits must register annually with the state police to participate in permitted games of chance and are exempt from local background checks.

Directly affected

State Police

The state police handle the annual registrations for nonprofit organizations participating in games of chance.

Directly affected

Local law enforcement

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

How do nonprofit organizations qualify to participate in games of chance?

Nonprofits can participate by registering with the state police on an annual basis.

Are nonprofits required to undergo local background checks under this measure?

No, nonprofits are exempt from any required background checks by local law enforcement.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

3 actions

Mar 24, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Mar 20, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/24/2026)
Feb 27, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to House 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.

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