Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8503: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOM
Status: Failed, May 14, 2026
HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOMEN (Creates a special legislative commission to study and provide recommendations relating to supporting community-based solutions to reduce the incarceration of women in Rhode Island.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 1, 2026:
2026 -- H 8503 ======== LC006403 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ HOUSERESOLUTION CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITYBASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOMEN Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Cruz, Potter, J. Lombardi, Hull, Tanzi, Kislak, Shallcross Smith, Ajello, and Fogarty Date Introduced: May 01, 2026 Referred To: House Judiciary WHEREAS, Rhode Island is committed to improving public safety while reducing unnecessary incarceration through investments in effective community-based programs and services; and WHEREAS, Research and experience demonstrate that women involved in the criminal justice system frequently face complex challenges including addiction, trauma, housing instability, and barriers to employment and family reunification; and WHEREAS, Addressing these challenges through coordinated public health, housing, and recovery services can reduce recidivism and strengthen communities; and WHEREAS, Rhode Island has begun to develop innovative approaches to support women transitioning in and out of the criminal justice system, including diversion programs, transitional housing, recovery services, and other community-based interventions designed to break the cycle of addiction and incarceration; and WHEREAS, Collaborative partnerships between state agencies, the judiciary, community organizations, and academic institutions are necessary to successfully implement and evaluate such programs; and WHEREAS, Rhode Island has received federal support through the United States Department of Justice Second Chance Act to expand evidence-based reentry services for women and to rigorously …
Sponsors
- Leonela Felix (D, HD-061) · primary sponsor
- Cherie Cruz (D, HD-058)
- Brandon Potter (D, HD-016)
- John Lombardi (D, HD-008)
- Raymond Hull (D, HD-006)
- Teresa Tanzi (D, HD-034)
- Rebecca Kislak (D, HD-004)
- Ann Shallcross Smith, Mary (D, HD-046)
- Edith Ajello (D, HD-001)
- Kathleen Fogarty (D, HD-035)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
Subjects: RESOLUTIONS -- GENERAL
Common questions
- What is H8503?
- H8503 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOM.
- What does H8503 do?
- HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCARCERATION OF WOMEN (Creates a special legislative commission to study and provide recommendations relating to supporting community-based solutions to reduce the incarceration of women in Rhode Island.)
- What is the status of H8503?
- Failed as of May 14, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (May 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8503?
- Leonela Felix (D, HD-061), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8503?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8503.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.