Rep Fascia: 2026 H 8065 - Clarifies Sex Offender Buffer Zone Measurement - House Judiciary (32426)

Representative Richard R. Fascia (R District 42 - Johnston, Cranston) introduces 2026 House Bill 8065 to the House Committee on Judiciary on March 24, 2026. This bill clarifies residency restrictions for Level 3 sex offenders by precisely defining how the buffer zone around schools is measured.

Following a 2023 US District Court ruling that vacated the previous restriction due to vague measurement standards, this legislation seeks to close the resulting loophole. H 8065 establishes that a 300-foot measurement begins at the exterior property line of the school proper and extends in a straight line, creating a consistent standard that aligns with current regulations for Level 1 and 2 offenders. The bill boasts strong bipartisan support with 39 co-sponsors in the House.

House Bill No. 8065
BY Fascia, Noret, Read, Solomon, Brien, Chippendale, Hopkins, Nardone, Roberts, Place
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION (Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.) {LC5173/1}
» http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8065.pdf

State Representative Richard R. Fascia
» https://www.rihousegop.org/repfascia.html

Rhode Island House Republicans
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