Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8547: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT (Establishes a separate domestic violence calendar within the superior court to handle felony domestic violence cases.)
Status: Signed into law, June 23, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 13, 2026:
2026 -- H 8547 ======== LC006413 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Caldwell, and Craven Date Introduced: May 13, 2026 Referred To: House Finance It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Legislative findings and purpose. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that domestic violence offenses present a significant threat to public safety, frequently involve repeat conduct, and require coordinated and consistent judicial oversight. The general assembly further finds that the centralized and expedited disposition of such cases within the superior court will promote the fair and efficient administration of justice, enhance victim safety, and ensure the consistent application and enforcement of bail conditions and no-contact orders. SECTION 2. Chapter 8-2 of the General Laws entitled "Superior Court" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 8-2-15.2. Domestic violence calendar. (a) Establishment. There is hereby established within the Rhode Island superior court a separate calendar to be known as the "domestic violence calendar" for the hearing and disposition of domestic violence cases within the jurisdiction of the superior court. (b) Eligible cases. The domestic violence calendar shall include the following actions within the jurisdiction of the superior court: (1) All criminal proceedings alleging the commission of a …
Sponsors
- Hagan McEntee, Carol (D, HD-033) · primary sponsor
- Justine Caldwell (D, HD-030)
- Robert Craven (D)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed Sub A in concurrence
- : Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
- : House passed Sub A
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- : Proposed Substitute
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Votes
- House Seq #392: PASSAGE (June 8, 2026): 66 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Finance: Passage of Sub A (June 5, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS
Common questions
- What is H8547?
- H8547 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT (Establishes a separate domestic violence calendar within the superior court to handle felony domestic violence cases.).
- What is the status of H8547?
- Signed into law as of June 23, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8547?
- Hagan McEntee, Carol (D, HD-033), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8547?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8547A.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.