RI H7652

Courts must determine at sentencing whether the defendant is a parent or caregiver of a child, elderly, disabled, or terminally ill family member whose well-being would be negatively affected by incarceration

Courts must consider specific factors including whether the parent is breastfeeding, the age of dependents, the defendant's role in day-to-day educational and medical needs, and financial support responsibilities

Defendants may present a "family impact statement" at sentencing that can include testimony from family and community members, written statements, videos, and other documentation

Courts must impose probation, a suspended sentence, or home confinement instead of incarceration unless the defendant poses a significant community risk that outweighs the harm to dependents from the caregiver's removal

Act takes effect upon passage