Designates certain program workers and shift coordinators at the training school as peace officers while on duty.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would give certain employees at Rhode Island's training school — specifically program workers and shift coordinators — the legal status of "peace officers" while they are on duty. The training school is a secure facility that houses young people who have been committed there through the juvenile justice system. Right now, these staff members work directly with the youth residents but do not have the formal legal authority that comes with being a designated peace officer.

By granting peace officer status, these workers would gain specific legal powers while on the job, most notably the authority to make arrests. This means they could legally detain or restrain residents or others on the premises as part of their official duties, with the same legal backing that other peace officers — such as certain corrections staff — already have. This designation would only apply while these employees are actively working their shifts, not in their personal lives.

The bill primarily affects the program workers and shift coordinators at the training school, as well as the youth residents in their care. Supporters of similar measures often argue that formalizing this authority helps staff do their jobs more safely and clearly defines their legal rights and responsibilities. The bill has been introduced and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review, where lawmakers will consider whether moving forward with the designation is appropriate.