The bill amends the "Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act of 2015" to enhance data collection and transparency regarding traffic stops and searches conducted by Rhode Island state and municipal police. Key provisions include the introduction of a new data collection form that requires detailed information on each traffic stop and/or search, such as the date, time, general location, demographics of the driver (including race, ethnicity, gender, and approximate age), reasons for the stop, whether a search was conducted, the scope of any search, the basis for the search (consent, probable cause, or reasonable suspicion), any contraband seized, whether a warning or citation was issued, whether an arrest was made, the approximate duration of the stop, and whether the vehicle is registered in Rhode Island or out of state.

The timeline for data collection is extended to begin no later than January 1, 2026, with a requirement for law enforcement agencies to transmit all traffic stop and search data collected between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2026, for analysis in the annual study. The bill mandates monthly reviews of the data by law enforcement agencies to identify racial disparities and requires annual reports on findings and actions taken to address any disparities.

Additionally, the bill establishes a twelve-member advisory committee to advise the Office of Highway Safety on matters related to data collection and analysis, including the selection of an organization or entity to conduct an annual study of traffic stop and search data. The study will analyze whether racial disparities exist in traffic stops and searches and will include a multivariate analysis of the collected data.

The Office of Highway Safety is also required to create an online interface for public access to stop and search data, allowing users to analyze the information by race or ethnicity and by individual law enforcement agencies. The act emphasizes the need for adequate funding to implement its provisions and is set to take effect upon passage, reinforcing accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.