Rhode IslandRhode Island law calls adult drug court a recovery court
Adults with drug addiction who meet offense and pending-charge rules may be considered for a court program combining supervision with treatment.
What it does
A drug recovery court magistrate presides over an adult program that combines court supervision with treatment for people with drug addiction. The magistrate decides who may join.
Argument forThe program combines court supervision with treatment, which could help adults with drug addiction work toward rehabilitation.
Argument againstA magistrate may order jail time, and participants who break program rules may be removed and sentenced, which could make treatment harder to complete.
More detail
A drug recovery court magistrate presides over the adult program and decides matters tied to participants’ involvement. The program covers adults charged with or convicted of an alcohol- or drug-related offense, or an appropriate nonviolent offense, who have a drug addiction. They cannot have pending charges for a felony crime of violence or for delivering a controlled substance. The Superior Court presiding justice appoints the magistrate with Senate advice and consent. The magistrate must be a member of the Rhode Island bar. The magistrate makes the final decision on admission. Accepted participants must follow a court contract and may be removed and sentenced if they fail to follow its conditions or court orders. The act says it takes effect upon passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- 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 906/09/2026 Senate passed in concurrencePassed Senate
- Jun 506/05/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/09/2026)Minor
- May 2805/28/2026 Committee recommends passage in concurrenceMinor
- May 2605/26/2026 Scheduled for consideration (05/28/2026)
- May 1505/15/2026 Referred to Senate JudiciaryMinor
- May 505/05/2026 House read and passedPassed House
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- May 105/01/2026 Placed on House Calendar (05/05/2026)Minor
- Apr 2804/28/2026 Committee recommends passageMinor
- Apr 2404/24/2026 Scheduled for consideration (04/28/2026)
- 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 603/06/2026 Introduced, referred to House JudiciaryIntroduced
Criminal Justice