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House passes bill expanding definition of bomb threats to cover false explosive warnings, allows pretrial conditions
Summary
The Rhode Island House on March 20 passed House Bill 5442 to expand the definition of bomb threats to include any warning of an explosive device that prompts a law-enforcement response and to permit judges to impose pretrial conditions such as extreme risk protections, no-trespass orders and counseling.
House Bill 5442, sponsored by Chairwoman Fogarty, was approved by the Rhode Island House of Representatives on March 20 after supporters said it would address so-called “swatting” and other false explosive warnings that prompt law-enforcement responses. Chairman Craven moved passage; the clerk recorded 64 votes in favor and 3 opposed and the act prevailed.
Supporters said the bill expands the meaning of bomb threats and false reports to include any warning or threat of the existence of an explosive device that prompts a law-enforcement response. The measure allows a judge, as a condition of bail, to impose extreme risk protections, no-trespass orders and counseling before release.
Chairwoman Fogarty was identified in the debate as the member who brought the bill to the floor. Chairman Craven moved passage. Representative Lita Chippendale (identified on the floor during debate) spoke in support, citing recent incidents of “swatting” and calling the practice “an atrocious thing to do.”
The House recorded no additional floor amendments during debate. After the floor debate concluded, the clerk unlocked the voting machine and the House voted 64–3 in favor. The transcript records the motion, seconds from multiple members who supported bringing the bill to the floor, and the final tally; no further implementation timeline or effective date was specified in the recorded remarks.
The bill’s text, as described on the floor, focuses on enlarging the statutory description of false reports to law enforcement and providing judges new options to condition pretrial release. The House discussion on March 20 did not cite a specific statute by chapter or number beyond the bill number; the transcript records no detailed fiscal note, enforcement mechanism, or effective date on the floor.
Votes at the March 20 session reflect only the House action. The transcript does not record further steps (for example, transmittal to the Senate or signature timeline) during the March 20 proceedings.
