Rhode Island 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 9 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 7198 — AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

Last action — 06/22/2026 Signed by Governor

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 21, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Dan McKee (Democratic) on June 22, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    10 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (9 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill clarifies definitions of felony, misdemeanor, and petty misdemeanor.

This legislation aims to provide clearer definitions for types of criminal offenses, specifically differentiating between felonies, misdemeanors, and petty misdemeanors. By establishing these definitions, it seeks to enhance understanding and consistency in legal repercussions.

Summary

Further delineate the definitions of felony, misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. 06/22/2026 Signed by Governor

  2. 06/18/2026 Transmitted to Governor

  3. 06/11/2026 Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

  4. 06/10/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)

  5. 06/10/2026 House passed Sub A

  6. 06/08/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/10/2026)

  7. 06/08/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A

  8. 06/06/2026 Proposed Substitute

  9. 06/06/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)

  10. 03/04/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  11. 02/27/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/04/2026)

  12. 01/21/2026 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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10 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 104 not signed on · 9 voted No

Sponsors (10)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (104)

104 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 104 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

PASSAGE

Passed 63 Yea · 9 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 54403
Independent 0100
Republican 6400
Unaffiliated 3000
Total 63903
% of votes cast 84%12%0%4%
How each member voted (75)
Member Party Vote
Mr. Speaker — Yea
O'Brien — Yea
ShallcrossSmith — Yea
Alex Finkelman Democratic Not Voting
Alex Marszalkowski Democratic Yea
Anthony J. DeSimone Democratic Yea
Arthur Handy Democratic Yea
Arthur J. Corvese Democratic Nay
Brandon C. Potter Democratic Yea
Brandon T. Voas Democratic Yea
Brian Patrick Kennedy Democratic Yea
Carol Hagan McEntee Democratic Yea
Charlene M. Lima Democratic Yea
Cherie L. Cruz Democratic Not Voting
David A. Bennett Democratic Yea
David Morales Democratic Yea
Deborah A. Fellela Democratic Yea
Earl A. Read, III Democratic Yea
Edith H. Ajello Democratic Yea
Enrique George Sanchez Democratic Yea
Evan P. Shanley Democratic Yea
Grace Diaz Democratic Yea
Gregory J. Costantino Democratic Yea
Jacquelyn M. Baginski Democratic Yea
Jason Knight Democratic Yea
Jenni A. Furtado Democratic Yea
Jennifer A. Stewart Democratic Yea
Jennifer Smith Boylan Democratic Yea
John G. Edwards Democratic Yea
John J. Lombardi Democratic Yea
Jose F. Batista Democratic Yea
Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. Democratic Yea
Joseph M. McNamara Democratic Yea
Joshua J. Giraldo Democratic Yea
Julie A. Casimiro Democratic Yea
June Speakman Democratic Yea
Justine A. Caldwell Democratic Yea
K. Joseph Shekarchi Democratic Not Voting
Karen Alzate Democratic Yea
Katherine S. Kazarian Democratic Yea
Kathleen A. Fogarty Democratic Yea
Lauren H. Carson Democratic Yea
Leonela Felix Democratic Yea
Marvin L. Abney Democratic Yea
Mary Duffy Messier Democratic Yea
Matt S. Dawson Democratic Yea
Megan L. Cotter Democratic Yea
Mia A. Ackerman Democratic Yea
Michelle E. McGaw Democratic Yea
Nathan W. Biah Democratic Yea
Patricia A. Serpa Democratic Yea
Ramon A. Perez Democratic Yea
Raymond A. Hull Democratic Yea
Rebecca M. Kislak Democratic Yea
Robert D. Phillips Democratic Nay
Robert E. Craven, Sr. Democratic Yea
Samuel A. Azzinaro Democratic Yea
Scott A. Slater Democratic Yea
Stephen M. Casey Democratic Nay
Susan R. Donovan Democratic Yea
Teresa Ann Tanzi Democratic Yea
Terri Cortvriend Democratic Yea
Thomas E. Noret Democratic Nay
Tina L. Spears Democratic Yea
Jon D. Brien Independent Nay
Brian C. Newberry Republican Nay
Christopher G. Paplauskas Republican Nay
David J. Place Republican Yea
George A Nardone Republican Yea
Marie A. Hopkins Republican Yea
Michael W. Chippendale Republican Yea
Paul M. Santucci Republican Nay
Richard R. Fascia Republican Nay
Robert J. Quattrocchi Republican Yea
Sherry Roberts Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 7198 do?
Further delineate the definitions of felony, misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor.
Who sponsors HB 7198?
HB 7198 is sponsored by David J. Place (Republican), Jenni A. Furtado (Democratic), Brandon C. Potter (Democratic), Karen Alzate (Democratic), David Morales (Democratic), Cherie L. Cruz (Democratic), John J. Lombardi (Democratic), Jason Knight (Democratic), Carol Hagan McEntee (Democratic), and Leonela Felix (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 7198?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 21, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 7198?
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