Bill
Bill > H8118
RI H8118
RI H8118Amends the Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act" by changing the provision for payment of legal fees.
summary
Introduced
02/27/2026
02/27/2026
In Committee
02/27/2026
02/27/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This act would amend “Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act" by changing the provision for payment of legal fees to allow upon written application by both the law enforcement agency and the accused that the chairperson may appoint legal counsel for the hearing committee, and each party shall be responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the legal fees unless otherwise agreed. This act would take effect upon passage.
AI Summary
This bill amends the "Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act" by changing how legal fees are handled when legal counsel is appointed to assist a hearing committee. Previously, a majority of the hearing committee could request the chairperson to appoint legal counsel, and the cost was split 50/50 between the law enforcement agency and the accused officer, though the chairperson could adjust this. Now, legal counsel can only be appointed if both the law enforcement agency and the accused officer jointly apply in writing, and in such cases, they will each be responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the legal fees unless they agree otherwise. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary (on 02/27/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://status.rilegislature.gov/ |
| BillText | https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8118.pdf |
Loading...