Loading chat...

RI H8045

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/27/2026

Primary Sponsor

Rebecca Kislak

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Family Court magistrate appointments by the chief judge must now follow the judicial selection and nomination process established in Chapter 16.1 of Title 8, in addition to existing senate confirmation requirements

  • Magistrates must be Rhode Island Bar members and serve 10-year terms with powers including hearing motions, pretrial conferences, juvenile arraignments, custody matters, support orders, and divorce decrees

  • Magistrates may hold persons in contempt and order imprisonment up to 72 hours pending review by a Family Court justice

  • Act takes effect upon passage

Legislative Description

Requires that the chief judge of the family court in appointing magistrates do so in accordance with the judicial selection and nomination process set forth in chapter 16.1 of title 8.

Courts And Civil Procedure

Last Action

Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

2/27/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/27/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available