Bill > S0565

This bill amends Rhode Island's statute of limitations law to add second-degree sexual assault to the list of offenses that have a ten-year limitation period. Currently, the law specifies various offenses with different statute of limitations, including some sexual assault crimes with no time limit and others with specific timeframes. By adding a ten-year statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault, the bill provides a specific window during which prosecutors can bring charges after the alleged offense occurs. This change means that victims of second-degree sexual assault will have ten years from the time of the incident to report the crime and have it prosecuted, which can provide more time for victims to come forward and seek justice compared to the standard three-year limitation for most other criminal offenses. The bill would take effect immediately upon its passage, potentially offering a clearer legal pathway for addressing these specific sexual assault cases.

Justice

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