Rhode Island Bill Eliminates Mandatory Adult Court Certification for Certain Juvenile Offenders

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT (Removes the mandatory certification for an individual 16 years or older who was found delinquent for having committed 2 offenses after the age of 16 which would render the person subject to an indictment if the person was an adult.)

Last action · May 27, 2026: Referred to House JudiciarySponsors: Jake Bissaillon and 5 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

Rhode Island S 2125 removes the mandatory requirement to certify individuals 16 years or older as adults in family court proceedings when they have been found for committing two offenses after age 16 that would constitute an adult .

Why it matters

The measure changes how repeat juvenile offenders are processed in the judicial system by giving courts discretion instead of a mandatory transfer to adult criminal court.

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

Juvenile offenders 16 years or older

Directly affected

Family Court

The court gains discretion over certification decisions instead of being mandated by law.

Key Facts

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Frequently Asked Questions

What changes for 16-year-old juveniles with multiple delinquency findings under this bill?

The bill removes the mandatory requirement that they be certified as adults in Family Court for committing two offenses after turning 16 that would otherwise trigger an adult .

Which court handles these proceedings?

The Family Court handles proceedings concerning and dependent children.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

6 actions

May 27, 2026Committee
Referred to House Judiciary
May 26, 2026Floor
Senate read and passed
May 20, 2026
Placed on Senate Calendar (05/26/2026)
May 19, 2026Floor
Committee recommends passage
May 15, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/19/2026)
Jan 16, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Version history

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