Establishes Rhode Island First Step program requiring DOC to assist offenders with reintegration into society, counseling, medical care, education, early sentence termination or pre-release confinement for elderly and terminally ill offenders.

# Summary of the Rhode Island First Step Act

This bill would create a new program called the "Rhode Island First Step Act," which would require the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (DOC) to take a more active role in helping incarcerated people prepare for life after prison. Under the program, the DOC would be required to provide services such as counseling, medical care, and educational opportunities to people who are serving sentences. The goal is to help offenders successfully reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood that they return to prison.

The bill also includes special provisions for two groups of incarcerated individuals: elderly offenders and those who are terminally ill. For these individuals, the legislation would create pathways for early termination of their sentences or alternative forms of confinement before their scheduled release dates. This reflects a recognition that keeping aging or seriously ill people in prison can be extremely costly and may serve little public safety purpose when those individuals pose minimal risk to the community.

The bill would affect currently incarcerated individuals across Rhode Island's prison system, their families, and the broader community. It would also impact the Department of Corrections, which would need to develop and manage these new reintegration programs and evaluate inmates for potential early release or modified confinement. Taxpayers could also be affected, as the program would require resources to implement but could potentially reduce long-term costs associated with housing prisoners, particularly those with significant medical needs.

The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which has recommended holding it for further study. A hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2026.