Rhode Island police must send domestic violence reports electronically

Law enforcement departments must electronically send reporting forms and matching written police accounts to the courts’ domestic violence training and monitoring unit. The requirement covers domestic violence/sexual assault reporting forms and the matching police accounts required under the domestic violence reporting section. For cases still under investigation or with an arrest warrant not yet carried out, departments must submit records as soon as practical, no later than the end of the calendar year when the incident occurred. Regular submissions are due at the end of each month. The law took effect upon passage; the recorded signing date is June 22, 2026.

Reporting forms must record language barriers and include a note about increased penalties for a felony, a serious crime. These forms cover domestic violence incidents that officers respond to or investigate. The courts’ domestic violence training and monitoring unit sets the form and submission process. Officers must complete a form whether or not an arrest occurs. Forms must also include identifying details, incident facts, and other information needed to fully analyze the incident. These requirements took effect upon passage.