Requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would change how Rhode Island law enforcement agencies report domestic violence and sexual assault incidents. Currently, police departments fill out and submit these reports using paper forms. Under this bill, agencies would be required to file these reports electronically instead. The goal is to modernize the reporting process and make the data easier to collect, organize, and analyze.

The bill also expands the amount of information that must be included on these reporting forms. Law enforcement would need to capture more detailed information about each incident, though the specific additional data points would be outlined in the updated forms. This enhanced information is intended to give state officials, researchers, and policymakers a clearer and more complete picture of domestic violence and sexual assault incidents across Rhode Island.

The bill primarily affects law enforcement agencies throughout the state, which would need to update their processes and systems to comply with the new electronic filing requirement. It could also indirectly affect survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as more thorough and accessible data may help improve government responses, resource allocation, and support services for victims. Advocacy organizations and state agencies that track and respond to these crimes may also benefit from having better and more timely information available to them.

The bill has been reviewed by a legislative committee, which recommended it move forward, and it has been placed on the House Calendar for a full vote as of April 2026.