Prohibits defendants who are serving probation for driving under the influence death resulting from earning good time off their probationary period.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would change the rules for people convicted of causing a death while driving under the influence (DUI). Under current Rhode Island law, people serving probation can earn "good time" credits — essentially time off their probationary period — for good behavior or other qualifying reasons. This bill would eliminate that option specifically for people who are on probation for a DUI-related death, meaning they would be required to serve their full probationary sentence without any reduction.

The bill directly affects individuals convicted of DUI manslaughter or similar offenses where someone died as a result of drunk or impaired driving. If passed, a judge's original probation sentence would become the minimum time served, with no possibility of early completion through good behavior credits. It does not affect jail or prison time — only the probationary period that often follows incarceration.

In practical terms, this means victims' families could expect offenders to remain under court supervision for the full length of their sentence. For the defendants, it removes a legal tool that currently allows some to finish probation ahead of schedule. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.