Rhode Island Laws
130 articles · page 1 of 3
A
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Rhode Island? (2026)
Rhode Island autopsy reports are restricted, not fully public. Learn who can request a copy from the State Medical Examiner, the $40 fee, and how to apply.
Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Rhode Island? (2026 Law)
Rhode Island bans carrying or possessing metal knuckles under 11-47-42, with up to 1 year and a $1,000 fine. Collectors have a narrow possession exemption.
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Rhode Island? Psilocybin Laws (2026)
Psilocybin is Schedule I in Rhode Island. Possessing 10 grams or less is a misdemeanor with up to 2 years; more than 10 grams is a felony. No program exists.
B
Bankruptcy in Rhode Island (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
Rhode Island lets filers choose state or federal exemptions. The state homestead protects up to $500,000 of equity, the vehicle exemption is $12,000, plus the means test.
C
Common Law Marriage in Rhode Island: Is It Recognized? (2026)
Rhode Island still recognizes new common law marriages under Sardonis v. Sardonis (1970). Learn the two-part test, how to prove it, the 7-year myth, and how a CLM ends.
D
Does Rhode Island Have an Age Verification Law? (2026)
Rhode Island has no enacted adult-content age-verification law, and no 2025-2026 bill to create one was found. What exists instead.
F
Felony vs Misdemeanor in Rhode Island: Tiers and Sentences (2026)
Rhode Island sorts crimes into felonies, misdemeanors, petty misdemeanors and violations by maximum penalty. See the tiers, the 2027 change and probation rules.
H
How Long Is a Life Sentence in Rhode Island? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in Rhode Island: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
How to Find a Cause of Death in Rhode Island (2026)
How to find someone's cause of death in Rhode Island: it is on the death certificate, restricted to eligible requesters for 50 years, then public. See routes.
How to Get a Rhode Island Death Certificate (2026)
Get a Rhode Island death certificate from the RI Department of Health Center for Vital Records. Learn the fee, who is eligible, processing time, and how to order copies.
I
Is Jaywalking Illegal in Rhode Island? Rules and the $100 Fine (2026)
Rhode Island pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk must yield (R.I. Gen. Laws 31-18-5), subject to local bans. Fine: $100 plus any technology surcharge.
Is Kratom Legal in Rhode Island? Age 21 Rule (2026 Law)
Kratom is not a controlled substance in Rhode Island. Since April 1, 2026, the Rhode Island Kratom Act requires licensed sellers, an age of 21 and 7-OH limits.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Rhode Island? (2026 Law)
No Rhode Island statute allows or bans lane splitting. The single-lane rule and passing limits apply, each listed at $100 on the Traffic Tribunal schedule.
L
Legal Separation in Rhode Island: Divorce From Bed and Board (2026)
Rhode Island offers legal separation as a divorce from bed and board under R.I. Gen. Laws 15-5-9. See the grounds, residency, support orders and remarriage rule.
M
Medical Malpractice Laws in Rhode Island (2026): Deadlines & Caps
Rhode Island medical malpractice law: a 3-year deadline under RIGL 9-1-14.1, no statutory damage cap, and no certificate of merit required.
R
Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA): How to Request Records
Rhode Island APRA requests explained: the 10 business day deadline and deemed denial rule, the 15 cent per page and 15 dollar per hour fee caps, and appeals.
Rhode Island Adoption Records: Original Birth Certificate Access Since 2012
Rhode Island has allowed adult adoptees direct access to their original birth certificate since July 1, 2012. What the statute covers and what to confirm.
Rhode Island Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting
How Rhode Island criminal law protects minors, with child molestation sexual assault, third degree sexual assault, authority rules, penalties and reporting.
Rhode Island AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to Rhode Island AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.
Rhode Island AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Learn how Rhode Island consent laws apply to AI meeting recorders. One-party consent rules, penalties, and compliance.
Rhode Island Alimony Laws: How Spousal Support Works (2026)
Learn how Rhode Island alimony works under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16: the rehabilitative purpose, court factors, no-formula discretion, modification rules, and tax treatment.
Rhode Island Annulment Laws: Void Marriages and How to File (2026)
Rhode Island ends void or voidable marriages by a divorce from the bond of marriage under R.I. Gen. Laws 15-5-1. See the void grounds, residency and forms.
Rhode Island Assault and Battery Laws: Charges and Penalties (2026)
Rhode Island punishes simple assault or battery as a one-year misdemeanor under 11-5-3. See felony assault, protected victims, domestic rules and penalties.
Rhode Island At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
Rhode Island is an at-will state with no common-law exceptions. Learn about statutory protections, right-to-work status, and your rights if fired.
Rhode Island Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)
Learn Rhode Island audio recording laws under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-35-21. One-party consent for calls and conversations. Felony penalties up to 5 years. Civil damages.
Rhode Island Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
Rhode Island background check laws: Ban the Box, lookback periods, Clean Slate, employer and housing checks.
Rhode Island Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Rhode Island biometric privacy laws under the RIDTPPA require opt-in consent for fingerprint and biometric data collection, with AG-enforced fines of $100 to $500 for each unlawful disclosure.
Rhode Island Birth Certificate: How to Order, Fees and Who Can Get One
Rhode Island's Center for Vital Records charges $22 in person or $25 by mail for a certified birth certificate. How to order, who is eligible, and how to amend one.
Rhode Island Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
Rhode Island is an at-fault state with pure comparative negligence. Minimum limits are 25/50/25, UM/UIM is required by default, and the PI deadline is 3 years.
Rhode Island Car Seat Laws (2026): Ages, Fines & Facts
R.I. Gen. Laws 31-22-22 requires mandatory rear-facing under 2 or 30 lbs, then a rear-seat restraint under 8, 57in, and 80 lbs. See the $100 fine's 7-day void.
Rhode Island Child Custody Laws: Best Interests, Pettinato Factors, and Your Rights
Rhode Island custody is decided by the Pettinato 8-factor best-interests test. No joint-custody presumption. Learn the rules, modification standard, and relocation process.
Rhode Island Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Rhode Island uses income shares to calculate child support. Learn how guidelines work, how to modify orders, and what enforcement actions apply under 2026 law.
Rhode Island Court Records: Public Portal Search and Expungement vs. Sealing
How to search Rhode Island court records on the free Judiciary Public Portal, what's public, and the difference between Rhode Island expungement and sealing.
Rhode Island Dashcam Laws: Mounting, Audio, and Evidence Rules (2026)
Learn Rhode Island dashcam laws. Legal with no specific restrictions. Audio follows one-party consent. Using dashcam footage as evidence in court and for insurance claims.
Rhode Island Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
Rhode Island requires data breach notification within 45 days (30 for government). Learn about the 128-bit encryption safe harbor, AG reporting at 500+, and per-record penalties.
Rhode Island Data Privacy Laws: RIDTPPA Consumer Rights Guide (2026)
Guide to Rhode Island data privacy laws and the RIDTPPA effective January 1, 2026. Consumer rights, business obligations, penalties, and breach rules.
Rhode Island Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One
Rhode Island is a closed-record state: only family, legal representatives, or someone with a direct and tangible interest can get a certified death certificate until records turn 50.
Rhode Island Debt Collection Laws: The Medical Debt Garnishment Ban and the 10-Year SOL
Rhode Island now bans wage garnishment for medical debt judgments (P.L. 2025 ch. 300). Plus the 10-year debt SOL, bank exemptions, and the one-hour repo rule.
Rhode Island Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
Rhode Island outlaws AI deepfakes in two areas: nonconsensual intimate images under R.I. Gen. Laws s. 11-64-3 (signed July 2, 2025) and election deepfakes under ch. 17-30. No voice-cloning statute yet.
Rhode Island Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
Rhode Island defamation laws: a one-year slander deadline, a three-year libel deadline (R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-14), and the anti-SLAPP statute (9-33-1).
Rhode Island Disorderly Conduct and Trespass Laws (2026)
Rhode Island disorderly conduct (11-45-1) carries up to 6 months or $500. Trespass after being forbidden (11-44-26) carries up to 1 year; no purple paint law.
Rhode Island Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Rhode Island divorce laws explained: no-fault irreconcilable differences, 1-year residency, 90-day post-decision wait, equitable distribution, and filing steps.
Rhode Island Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn Rhode Island dog bite laws, strict liability under R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-16, the one-bite rule, vicious dog rules, and the 3-year filing deadline.
Rhode Island Drone Laws: Privacy, Trespass, and Voyeurism Rules
Rhode Island has no drone-specific privacy law. Drone spying is charged as video voyeurism or trespass. See warrant, preemption, and shoot-down rules.
Rhode Island DUI Laws: Penalties & BAC Limit (2026)
Rhode Island DUI laws under 31-27-2: the 0.08% BAC limit, first-offense fines and suspension, the interlock rule, refusal penalties, and the 10-year look-back.
Rhode Island E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
Rhode Island has no statutory category for a stand-up e-scooter. Its bicycle and motor scooter definitions don't fit one, though a general helmet rule covers riders 15 and under.
Rhode Island Easement and Eminent Domain Laws (2026)
Rhode Island prescriptive easements generally take 10 years of adverse use, and a footpath alone never ripens. See the landlocked rule and 2008 eminent domain limits.
Rhode Island Embezzlement and Forgery Laws: Penalties (2026)
Embezzlement in Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-41-3) is punishable by up to 20 years at $100 or more. Forgery (11-17-1) carries up to 10 years.
Rhode Island Employee Monitoring Laws: Workplace Surveillance and Social Media (2026)
Rhode Island employee monitoring laws explained: the social media password law under Chapter 28-56, the strict GPS tracking statute's business exception, and consent rules.
Rhode Island Expungement Laws: First Offender, Felony & 2022 Cannabis Rules
Rhode Island expungement under R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3 covers first-offense misdemeanors (5-year wait), first-offense non-violent felonies (10-year wait), multiple misdemeanors, and automatic cannabis record expungement enacted in 2022.
Rhode Island Extortion and Blackmail Laws: Penalties (2026)
Rhode Island extortion and blackmail (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-42-2) carries up to 15 years, a $25,000 fine, or both. Intimate-image threats are 5-year felonies.
Rhode Island Final Paycheck Laws: The 1-Year PTO-Payout Mandate
Rhode Island requires final wages by the next payday, 24 hours after a liquidation, merger, or relocation, and a statutory PTO payout after one year of service.
Rhode Island Fireworks Laws (2026): Permits and Penalties
Rhode Island bans display and aerial fireworks without a state permit and fire-marshal certificate. Novelties are legal at 16. Felony penalties up to 5 years.
Rhode Island GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Rhode Island makes it a misdemeanor to put a GPS tracker on a car without consent of the driver and every passenger. Penalties, exceptions, and how to sue.
Rhode Island Grandparents' Rights: Visitation and Custody Laws
Rhode Island grandparent visitation law: three overlapping statutes, the clear-and-convincing standard, and why the U.S. Supreme Court cited RI as a model.
Rhode Island Guardianship Laws: Adults, Minors and Conservators (2026)
How Rhode Island guardianship works: probate court, clear and convincing proof, limited guardianship first, a guardian ad litem in every adult case, and SDM.
Rhode Island Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Understand Rhode Island's hit and run laws: legal obligations after an accident, penalties for leaving the scene, and steps to protect your rights.
Rhode Island Homestead Exemption: Local Rules and State Relief
Rhode Island has no statewide homestead exemption; towns set their own. See the RI-1040H credit, veterans and blind exemptions and the creditor homestead.
Rhode Island Identity Theft Laws: Identity Fraud Penalties
Rhode Island identity fraud penalties under Section 11-49.1-4 rise with each repeat offense. See the tiers, victim rights, and the 2026 breach-law bill.