Rhode Island S2279: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST (Permits non-sworn public safety officers/security guards at private colleges/un

What the bill says

From the introduced text, January 23, 2026:

2026 -- S 2279 ======== LC004329 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST Introduced By: Senators Patalano, Dimitri, Thompson, Famiglietti, LaMountain, Burke, Appollonio, Paolino, de la Cruz, and Rogers Date Introduced: January 23, 2026 Referred To: Senate Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 12-7 of the General Laws entitled "Arrest" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 12-7-1.1. Detention by university or college security. (a) The governing board of any private state-charted institution of higher education which maintains a campus or other real property for educational purposes may establish a security, public safety office, or similar department, which employs or contracts with special police officers, public safety officers, security personnel or similar individuals. The appointment of special police officers, and the powers granted to those individuals shall be governed by chapter 2.1 of title 12. If so appointed by an institution, other duly trained members of such a department, including non-sworn public safety officers and security guards may, without a warrant, detain any person for any criminal offense, whenever the public safety officer or security guard has reasonable grounds to believe that an offense has been committed within the jurisdiction of that public safety officer or security guard and the officer …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Todd Patalano (D, SD-026) · primary sponsor
• Andrew Dimitri (D, SD-025)
• Brian Thompson (D, SD-020)
• Stefano Famiglietti (D, SD-004)
• Matthew LaMountain (D, SD-031)
• John Burke (D, SD-009)
• Peter Appollonio (D, SD-029)
• Thomas Paolino (R, SD-017)
• Jessica de la Cruz (R, SD-023)
• Gordon Rogers (R, SD-021)

Latest actions

1. June 9, 2026: Senate passed Sub A
2. June 4, 2026: Placed on Senate Calendar
3. June 3, 2026: Committee recommends passage of Sub A
4. June 2, 2026: Proposed Substitute
5. June 1, 2026: Scheduled for consideration
6. June 1, 2026: Meeting postponed
7. May 30, 2026: Scheduled for consideration
8. April 2, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
9. March 27, 2026: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
10. January 23, 2026: Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Votes

• Senate Seq #496: (June 9, 2026): 29 yea, 8 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage of Sub A (June 3, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage (June 3, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage (April 2, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S2279?

S2279 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST (Permits non-sworn public safety officers/security guards at private colleges/un.

What does S2279 do?

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST (Permits non-sworn public safety officers/security guards at private colleges/universities to detain individuals within the campus’s jurisdiction if the officer or guard believes the person committed a criminal offense.)

What is the status of S2279?

Passed one chamber as of June 9, 2026. Latest action: Senate passed Sub A (June 9, 2026).

Who sponsored S2279?

Todd Patalano (D, SD-026), with 9 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S2279?

On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2279A.pdf