Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H7202: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION -- THE RHODE ISLAND FEDERAL CONSTITUTION DEFENSE ACT (Creates the Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act.)
Status: Signed into law, June 22, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 21, 2026:
2026 -- H 7202 ======== LC004055 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION -- THE RHODE ISLAND FEDERAL CONSTITUTION DEFENSE ACT Introduced By: Representatives Potter, McEntee, Morales, Kislak, Sanchez, Speakman, Ajello, Stewart, Cruz, and Giraldo Date Introduced: January 21, 2026 Referred To: House Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 9-1 of the General Laws entitled "Causes of Action" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 9-1-55. The Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act -- Cause of action. (a) Any person or persons who, acting under color of any federal law subjects or causes to be subjected any person within the jurisdiction of the State of Rhode Island to a deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution of the United States, or whose exercise or enjoyment of those rights, privileges, or immunities has been interfered with or attempted to be interfered with, by threats, intimidation or coercion, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress. (b) Immunities not applicable as a defense. (1) This act does not grant any immunities to a person or persons as a defense. …
Sponsors
- Brandon Potter (D, HD-016) · primary sponsor
- Hagan McEntee, Carol (D, HD-033)
- David Morales (D, HD-007)
- Rebecca Kislak (D, HD-004)
- Enrique Sanchez (D, HD-009)
- June Speakman (D, HD-068)
- Edith Ajello (D, HD-001)
- Jennifer Stewart (D, HD-059)
- Cherie Cruz (D, HD-058)
- Joshua Giraldo (D, HD-056)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed in concurrence
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : House read and passed
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
Votes
- Senate Seq #683: (June 11, 2026): 31 yea, 7 nay, passed
- House Seq #445: PASSAGE (June 10, 2026): 63 yea, 9 nay, passed
- House Committee on Judiciary: Passage (June 8, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE
Common questions
- What is H7202?
- H7202 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION -- THE RHODE ISLAND FEDERAL CONSTITUTION DEFENSE ACT (Creates the Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act.).
- What is the status of H7202?
- Signed into law as of June 22, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored H7202?
- Brandon Potter (D, HD-016), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H7202?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7202.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.