Bill Sponsors
Casimiro, Shallcross Smith, Kislak, Speakman, Alzate, Stewart, Craven, and McEntee
Committee
House Judiciary
Summary
Select
This legislation amends Rhode Island's homicide laws to change sentencing guidelines for first-degree murder. Specifically, it prohibits the imposition of a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for any individual who is twenty-one years of age or younger. This applies even in cases involving aggravated circumstances, such as the murder of a police officer, torture, or murder committed during a kidnapping. While these individuals can still receive life sentences, they must be granted the possibility of parole eligibility.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Aligns criminal justice policy with scientific consensus regarding brain development, acknowledging that young adults up to age 21 possess a capacity for change and rehabilitation that warrants a future opportunity for parole.
- Moves the justice system away from purely punitive measures ("death by incarceration") for young people, fostering a more humane approach that values restorative justice and the potential for human redemption.
- Helps mitigate systemic disparities in the legal system, where harsh mandatory minimums and life sentences have historically disproportionately impacted young people of color and marginalized communities.
Cons for Progressives
- The age cap of 21 may still be viewed as arbitrary by advocates who argue that brain development continues into the mid-twenties, potentially excluding other young adults deserving of similar leniency.
- Retains the underlying structure of life imprisonment, meaning young people can still spend the vast majority of their lives incarcerated even if "parole" is technically possible on paper.
- Does not explicitly mandate retroactive resentencing for those currently serving life without parole who were under 21 at the time of their conviction, potentially leaving existing inmates without relief.
Pros for Conservatives
- Potentially reduces long-term state corrections costs by allowing for the eventual release of rehabilitated inmates, rather than funding the high costs of geriatric care for prisoners who no longer pose a threat.
- Aligns with certain religious and moral traditions that emphasize the possibility of redemption, repentance, and the sanctity of life, even for those who have committed grave errors in their youth.
- Maintains the option for life imprisonment (with parole), ensuring that serious consequences remain for violent crimes while reserving the absolute harshest penalty (no parole) for fully mature adult offenders.
Cons for Conservatives
- Undermines the concept of justice for victims and their families by guaranteeing that even the most vicious young murderers, including those who kill police officers, have a chance to return to society.
- Weakens the deterrent effect of the law by signaling to gang members and young violent offenders that they will face lighter ultimate penalties than older adults for the same heinous acts.
- Risks public safety by legally mandating that the parole board eventually consider the release of individuals who have demonstrated a capacity for first-degree murder, torture, or kidnapping.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Young adult offenders (ages 18-21)
- Victims of violent crime and their families
- Judges and Prosecutors
- Rhode Island Parole Board
- Department of Corrections
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/15/2026 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Sections 11-23-2 and 11-23-2.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-23 entitled "Homicide" are hereby amended to read as follows:
11-23-2. Penalties for murder.
Every person guilty of murder in the first degree shall be imprisoned for life. Every person guilty of murder in the first degree: (1) committed intentionally while engaged in the commission of another capital offense or other felony for which life imprisonment may be imposed; (2) committed in a manner creating a great risk of death to more than one person by means of a weapon or device or substance which would normally be hazardous to the life of more than one person; (3) committed at the direction of another person in return for money or any other thing of monetary value from that person; (4) committed in a manner involving torture or an aggravated battery to the victim; (5) committed against any member of the judiciary, law enforcement officer, corrections employee, assistant attorney general or special assistant attorney general, or firefighter arising from the lawful performance of his or her official duties; (6) committed by a person who at the time of the murder was committed to confinement in the adult correctional institutions or the state reformatory for women upon conviction of a felony; or (7) committed during the course of the perpetration or attempted perpetration of felony manufacture, sale, delivery or other distribution of a controlled substance otherwise prohibited by the provisions of chapter 28 of title 21; shall be imprisoned for life and if ordered by the court pursuant to chapter 19.2 of title 12 that person shall not be eligible for parole from imprisonment; provided that, no person twenty-one (21) years of age or younger shall be imprisoned without the possibility of parole. Every person guilty of murder in the second degree shall be imprisoned for not less than ten (10) years and may be imprisoned for life.
11-23-2.1. Penalty for murder of a kidnapped person under the age of eighteen (18).
If any person under the age of eighteen (18) who is kidnapped in violation of § 11-26-1 by a person other than his or her natural or adopted parent dies as a direct result of the kidnapping, then the person convicted of the offense shall be guilty of murder in the first degree and shall be punished by imprisonment for life, and the court may, pursuant to chapter 19.2 of title 12, order that that person not be eligible for parole, provided, that no person twenty-one (21) years of age or younger shall be imprisoned without the possibility of parole.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
11-23-2. Penalties for murder.
Every person guilty of murder in the first degree shall be imprisoned for life. Every person guilty of murder in the first degree: (1) committed intentionally while engaged in the commission of another capital offense or other felony for which life imprisonment may be imposed; (2) committed in a manner creating a great risk of death to more than one person by means of a weapon or device or substance which would normally be hazardous to the life of more than one person; (3) committed at the direction of another person in return for money or any other thing of monetary value from that person; (4) committed in a manner involving torture or an aggravated battery to the victim; (5) committed against any member of the judiciary, law enforcement officer, corrections employee, assistant attorney general or special assistant attorney general, or firefighter arising from the lawful performance of his or her official duties; (6) committed by a person who at the time of the murder was committed to confinement in the adult correctional institutions or the state reformatory for women upon conviction of a felony; or (7) committed during the course of the perpetration or attempted perpetration of felony manufacture, sale, delivery or other distribution of a controlled substance otherwise prohibited by the provisions of chapter 28 of title 21; shall be imprisoned for life and if ordered by the court pursuant to chapter 19.2 of title 12 that person shall not be eligible for parole from imprisonment; provided that, no person twenty-one (21) years of age or younger shall be imprisoned without the possibility of parole. Every person guilty of murder in the second degree shall be imprisoned for not less than ten (10) years and may be imprisoned for life.
11-23-2.1. Penalty for murder of a kidnapped person under the age of eighteen (18).
If any person under the age of eighteen (18) who is kidnapped in violation of § 11-26-1 by a person other than his or her natural or adopted parent dies as a direct result of the kidnapping, then the person convicted of the offense shall be guilty of murder in the first degree and shall be punished by imprisonment for life, and the court may, pursuant to chapter 19.2 of title 12, order that that person not be eligible for parole, provided, that no person twenty-one (21) years of age or younger shall be imprisoned without the possibility of parole.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.