[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6622443,"mediaKeyId","2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5","parentId",2784380,"title","Training-school staff and unions seek peace-officer status for off-site transports; public defender raises rehabilitation concerns","audioSeconds",319,"startMs",7073000,"endMs",7392000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5&start=7073&end=7392","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5/thumbnail_7073000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622443/Rhode-Island/Training-school-staff-and-unions-seek-peace-officer-status-for-off-site-transports-public-defender-raises-rehabilitation-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622443-de4113337281af348daafb2cca6f87a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1774897409&Signature=dm1NY9ioeNTvP7w6MVeaSub26BNtb42XXNZxnhmB1WxlbO9CWuzpfBpl9oBwOHfm9rAGh8~QhyiNMXf8ek2dThZDeXaCO4NMm2T4SIDqkfff7ZJgykgSa4WzRnH38xCsNbelaVw2Jox6S1eHSb5KpXlF1EY0pd4WZanXVarp9Aq8qOYoQvb-sExkJtCHvjEwKjiuKPgsl3gANssRYA8ebop82l~B3GB7F2z2P9KJz8~SUcduRe5jK0Zsn5aGGcBme-3VbIgV9CRPqRJZwUAYxe768m4stx1ZAzMih81OJCbGkpvneDJJX67IMn1qABYXKxk43dKucEQSpaYUmV41lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","The House Judiciary Committee on March 25 heard competing testimony on House Bill 5670, which would amend Rhode Island General Law 12-7-21 to add juvenile program workers (JPWs) and shift coordinators at the Rhode Island Training School to the statutory list of peace officers while performing assigned duties.

Union and agency witnesses said the change is narrowly tailored to on-duty functions: JPWs and shift coordinators already provide custody, transport and care for adjudicated youth and sometimes must retrieve, transport or return residents from out‑of‑state placements or community placements. Witnesses — including Jim Centorino (AFSCME/ Council 94), Joe DeLuca (union vice president and JPW) and a longtime shift coordinator — said the staff have a higher injury rate and lack statutory authority when detaining or restraining juveniles off training‑school property. They described situations in which staff must use restraints or otherwise secure a youth and said lack of peace‑officer status exposes staff and the state to civil and criminal liability.

Witnesses said the bill would not turn JPWs into general police officers: it would authorize limited powers to detain, restrain or transport in the performance of duties and requires the authority be used only with the superintendent’s authorization. Jim Centorino described prior amendments to the draft that narrowed the language to protect against off‑duty or unauthorized uses.

Megan Jackson of the Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that the Training School is a rehabilitative environment and that conferring peace‑officer status on staff would undermine the trust-based relationships the school relies on to rehabilitate youth. The Public Defender’s office also said staff are not trained to make arrests in the way peace officers are and that the bill could erode rehabilitative goals.

Committee members questioned whether transports include restraints, whether staff receive training comparable to other peace officers, and how often off‑site incidents required restraint or police intervention. Proponents said the department has developed an academy and additional training modules and that the proposed expansion would be limited to duties expressly authorized by the Rhode Island Training School and only while on duty.

No vote was taken. Supporters asked the committee to consider statutory protections that would reduce exposure for staff who take youth into the community for medical care and other court-ordered placements.

Why it matters: The change would affect front-line staff handling vulnerable juveniles and could alter the legal exposure of the state and employees during off-campus transports and incident responses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee on Judiciary: 3-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee heard testimony on House Bill 5670 to add juvenile program workers and shift coordinators at the Rhode Island Training School to the peace-officer statute when acting in their duties.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622447,"Privacy advocates and police weigh state rules for automated license-plate readers",0,4824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5&start=4824&end=4824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5/thumbnail_4824000.jpg","/articles/6622447/Rhode-Island/Privacy-advocates-and-police-weigh-state-rules-for-automated-license-plate-readers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622447-36ed7727b2caac8c245663c809ae6ff5/orig.mp4?Expires=1774897409&Signature=Ao~XR5Zu~bpqTIndTuvlu5zEssCunTpd9Rhzj-3A4QqTjYey3bA-808yhSVCNZ4YexxBu-b1tePZ1hXNHl4F8eMzEwGlDu4PAsRsKkiwy~iiCS3gz3CNf-jUESr6oP-NsMQloDburQADzA8-~KGWfUmb53SpEx6Ux9n--ZKHFHK~TEJReDtI1z-e7vXi8llcWZi9SR1cDj1UQ9zDXgV8M8Gc1fUC0UTqC4pTQvOXIwmsDqTBKek1xYq0DQlvZH5lIhMeaOHwHBwMxgrhuEwDmN2XKMArJmwyHFHtAv4TiL2dErLphRoUL6BnJPIf0CKWn-sqS1ZeeZZ17fWRX1awPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Judiciary Committee on March 25 considered a proposal to add statewide standards for automated license-plate reader systems (ALPR/\"Flock\" cameras) used by municipal police departments. Supporters and opponents agreed the technology helps solve crime, but differed sharply on oversight, retention policies and potential for misuse.

Gregory Dias, an attorney who requested the bill, said local policies are uneven and ALPR systems record every vehicle 24/7 — creating a continuous historical record that he called an invasion of privacy unless regulated. Dias said statute-level standards are needed because departmental policies vary and can change without public input.

Police chiefs from Woonsocket and Newport said the systems have produced quick results in active investigations and expressed willingness to work with the legislature on guardrails. Chief Oates (Woonsocket) described cases including a domestic‑violence-related identification that led to an arrest and said departments audit access and maintain logs of who runs searches. Chief Duffy (Newport) emphasized potential lifesaving uses — for example, locating people in crisis near the Pell Bridge.

The ACLU of Rhode Island and other witnesses urged statewide retention limits, limits on vendor access to data, and reporting requirements; the ACLU said some vendor materials previously advertised search options (for example, “vehicle type, make, color, bumper stickers”) and warned that openness to policy changes by vendors is a risk. Flock Safety (vendor) testified in favor of some provisions and suggested banning vendors from selling or otherwise commercializing data.

Committee members asked about audits, internal affairs oversight, officer access logs and consequences for misuse. Police testified that every search is logged and reviewed and that internal discipline procedures would apply to misuse; civil liberties witnesses said that statutory safeguards and penalties are needed in addition to internal audits.

No vote was taken; the sponsor indicated the bill would require further drafting and that stakeholders would continue negotiations.

Why it matters: ALPR systems are increasingly common and provide investigative leads, but they also create large location datasets; the committee heard both the public‑safety value and civil‑liberties concerns and signalled interest in state-level standards.","The committee heard competing testimony on a bill to standardize use, retention, and oversight of automated license-plate reader (ALPR) systems: police chiefs and public-safety witnesses emphasized crime-solving benefits; civil liberties groups and local attorneys urged state rules and limits to prevent misuse.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622452,"Lieutenant governor, advocates back bill to ban long restrictive covenants that can create food deserts",419,1605000,2024000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5&start=1605&end=2024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5/thumbnail_1605000.jpg","/articles/6622452/Rhode-Island/Lieutenant-governor-advocates-back-bill-to-ban-long-restrictive-covenants-that-can-create-food-deserts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622452-d3f69658563cd01bcb9bbfc5a05ec3e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1774897409&Signature=GcxwCQ8CTcjm8uQj39lUQghKFAfHS2WKUckvHhsk-L7idPWiUDD5kNoa4nb7r4cSEALDvpvDHHo2NARFA-oJuUNsfus3DneFk1B4PPw3BbzPT~H6sYBWctAM3w0DAGLXg1x5zcRERXIMLNlkVS~rAjFRu1gF~T2KOsexbKxYo6hbx6wB~yd0rhU9hRgbekDcVnne2RMQcyi7-Vd9CMMCKUr8LhdVTqw0MF63GnVJUkgkoLwJfr3-W5bVA3jlXZ20qV71o4-nqbvwRp0B3jeMj444CSPNLrdQaxtidFMPZVpu-F32gHbpKEAOk5NUFXw8XAYjfxhofYKt7GMDG~HI-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Judiciary Committee on March 25 heard House Bill 5902, part of a proposed fair groceries package, which would restrict or prohibit long-term restrictive covenants that prevent other grocers from using former supermarket properties. The lieutenant governor and staff said the measure addresses practices that limit competition and can contribute to food deserts in vulnerable communities.

Lt. Governor (testifying) said large chains sometimes sell properties and impose covenants preventing other grocers from occupying the site for decades; she and Deputy David Focarelli cited municipal examples from Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Bellingham, Wash., where local prohibitions on such covenants were followed by new grocery openings.

Witnesses and local residents described East Side Marketplace’s conversion from a locally owned grocery to a chain supermarket and then a closure; testimony said a restrictive covenant prevented a different grocer from taking over the vacant storefront, leaving a neighborhood without a functioning supermarket for months.

Supporters framed the bill as a consumer‑protection and competition measure aimed at preserving access to fresh food and making it easier for independent grocers to enter locations big chains had abandoned. The bill would mirror steps other jurisdictions used: prohibiting or limiting the enforceability of noncompetition-style covenants that extend long after a chain leaves a site.

Questions from committee members were limited; the testimony concluded with supporters asking the committee to advance the bill for further consideration. No committee vote was recorded during the hearing; the bill was held for study as part of the evening’s procedural motion to hold agenda items.

Why it matters: Witnesses argued that restrictive covenants are an avoidable contributor to food-access problems and that changing state law can help independent grocers and communities attract new food retailers.","Witnesses including the lieutenant governor and staff described House Bill 5902, part of a fair grocery package, that would prohibit restrictive covenants used by large grocery chains to block new grocers and limit competition; supporters pointed to examples in other cities and local storefront vacancies tied to covenants.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622457,"House committee hears bill to help Gatsby Point homeowners association buy leased land",944,644000,1588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5&start=644&end=1588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784380-8a2969544047c388243f83510887dab5/thumbnail_644000.jpg","/articles/6622457/Rhode-Island/House-committee-hears-bill-to-help-Gatsby-Point-homeowners-association-buy-leased-land","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622457-bfe56188e8338584f56e1d4001e5244e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774897409&Signature=Wv85k2f6D0Pa9N~cfhxVBQFkBIgzc8qnMFVV40fEfmx0vnNw84TsZmkm96sX6b9KG7IEW6pb7YcqDVjfAgzJeTLV9boQPulXHWNfZIu4aoQGgMLYM603W2l8-BDakSmarmH-9xKlMD1AwoWjHJoKeQN08~Sfz1s-1pT2H9C9s3ctpJO1UM8LFmWmx-kGSIsN-CwWH0oiohI3XKzSCIZzvC64fcPlOlqpMyy~Cf9nkhDOO6hGI4K4u0xHX7cmkjT4pRGWcvVK6gkXd0ajtJ5oPvbB5doU~dZqfaigBFUBRS0QgKX9ambHTj-i~BwrStjVer0cDdd0QkGvBOQGqwbkBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Judiciary Committee on March 25 heard testimony on House Bill 5299, sponsored by Rep. McNamara, which asks Rhode Island Housing and the Infrastructure Bank to study mechanisms to assist qualified homeowners associations to buy leased land that underlies homes.

Supporters told the committee that Gatsby Point is a coastal neighborhood of long-standing, working- and moderate-income households where many families live on land leased from a private owner. Joe Duquette, president of the Gatsby Point Homeowners Association, said the community includes multi‑generation households and called the proposed assistance “a chance to develop some real equity and family wealth.” Kate Brock, a HOA board member, told the committee the association already meets the state’s threshold for a qualified association and described 209 owner‑occupied homes plus an additional 67 rental units on roughly 200 acres of leased land.

Brock and other residents said the General Assembly previously authorized a right of first refusal for qualified associations — a procedural right to match an offer if the land owner sells — but that the short statutory time frame and the associations’ limited legal and financial capacity make it difficult to prepare a competitive purchase. The bill would task public agencies with researching financing and technical assistance so associations could be ready if land is offered for sale.

Several residents testified they renovated homes and invested substantial personal funds to remain in Gatsby Point and said they want to preserve the neighborhood’s affordability and continuity. Witnesses noted that some comparable actions — for example, state assistance to Blueberry Heights in West Greenwich — had precedent when the governor asked Rhode Island Housing to assist in a purchase.

Committee members asked practical questions about parcel size, appraisals and whether the association had the necessary majority to qualify. Witnesses said the association does meet the membership threshold and can provide acreage and appraisal information to the committee on request. No formal action was taken on the bill during the hearing; it was being held for further study along with the other bills on the evening’s calendar.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill gives homeowners on leased land a pathway to preserve affordable housing stock and prevent displacement by outside buyers. The committee was told the measure is about preparing so associations can act if and when the private owner sells.","The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on House Bill 5299, which would direct Rhode Island Housing and the Infrastructure Bank to study and develop ways to help qualified homeowners associations purchase leased land; residents and HOA leaders said the measure would preserve affordable, multigenerational neighborhoods.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Training-school staff and unions seek peace-officer status for off-site transports; public defender raises rehabilitation concerns

Privacy advocates and police weigh state rules for automated license-plate readers

Lieutenant governor, advocates back bill to ban long restrictive covenants that can create food deserts

House committee hears bill to help Gatsby Point homeowners association buy leased land