Rhode IslandRhode Island officers may warn adults who leave young children in vehicles
Rhode Island law lets officers warn people who leave children under seven alone in vehicles, while allowing prosecution when the conduct is a crime.
What it does
Officers may give a verbal warning when someone leaves a child under seven alone in a vehicle. The warning must explain dangers such as abduction and excessive heat.
Argument forA warning could help an adult understand risks like abduction and dangerous heat when leaving a young child alone in a vehicle.
Argument againstBecause officers may not keep a record of warnings, they could have less information when responding to repeated reports about a child left alone.
More detail
Law enforcement officers may give a verbal warning to a person deemed to have left a child unattended in a motor vehicle. The section applies when a child under age seven is left unattended in a motor vehicle. The warning must explain dangers of the practice, including abduction and excessive heat. No fine or other sanction may be imposed under this section, and no record of the warning may be kept. This section does not prevent prosecution when the conduct is a crime under another law. The act took effect upon passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2306/23/2026 Signed by Governor Dan McKeeBecame Law
- Jun 1806/18/2026 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 1006/10/2026 House passed in concurrencePassed House
- Vote recorded IN CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 806/08/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/10/2026)Minor
- Jun 806/08/2026 Committee recommends passage in concurrenceMinor
- Jun 606/06/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)
- Jun 506/05/2026 Referred to House JudiciaryMinor
- Jun 406/04/2026 Senate read and passedPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 206/02/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/04/2026)Minor
- Jun 206/02/2026 Committee recommends passageMinor
- May 3005/30/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2026)
- Apr 904/09/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further studyMinor
- Apr 304/03/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/09/2026)
- Mar 2003/20/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate JudiciaryIntroduced
Public SafetyTransportation