The bill amends Section 12-12-17 of the General Laws regarding the statute of limitations for various criminal offenses. It establishes that there is no statute of limitations for serious crimes such as treason, homicide, and certain sexual assaults, while setting a ten-year statute of limitations for offenses like larceny, bribery, and certain frauds. Notably, the bill introduces specific provisions for sexual assault cases: the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault is set at ten years from the offense date or, for victims under eighteen, from their eighteenth birthday. Additionally, for third-degree sexual assault, the three-year statute of limitations will be calculated from the victim's eighteenth birthday rather than the offense date.

The bill also clarifies that individuals participating in an offense, whether as a principal, accessory, or conspirator, will be subject to the same statute of limitations as the substantive offense. Furthermore, it specifies a seven-year statute of limitations for violations related to waste management and environmental laws, starting from when law enforcement becomes aware of the offense. This act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
6133: 12-12-17