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Rhode Island
R.I. House committee votes for bill offering immunity to sex workers – The Boston Globe
PROVIDENCE — The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted for a bill that could provide immunity for sex workers who witness certain crimes, including prostitution, if they agree to try to cooperate with police investigations.
Some said the bill could also impede criminal investigations into prostitution and sex trafficking, and are concerned it could be a step toward returning Rhode Island to a time when prostitution was legal.
But the House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously for the bill, which now heads to the House floor for a vote.
Committee Chairman Robert E. Craven Jr., a North Kingstown Democrat, said, “The purpose of this proposed statute is to protect a woman who may have been a witness to a crime of greater severity and might not otherwise want to cooperate due to liability from prostitution or other related activities.”
Representative Edith H. Ajello, the Providence Democrat who introduced bill, said, “It also would allow a sex worker who was a victim of a crime perpetrated by would-be john — perhaps robbed, or perhaps beaten, or perhaps both — it would make that individual able to report the crime and the crime be prosecuted,” and that sex worker would be “protected from that evil-deed doer without fear of herself being charged with prostitution and sentenced to six months or a year in prison.”
The bill, H7165, was lobbied for by an out-of-state nonprofit group called Decriminalize Sex Work, which was founded by Robert Kampia with the mission “to end the prohibition of consensual adult prostitution — and to improve the policies relating to other forms of sex work — in the United States.”
And on Tuesday, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation produced a legal analysis, saying the bill contains a loophole that could be used to protect pimps, sex traffickers, and sex buyers.
The center’s vice president of public policy, Eleanor Gaetan, cited a section that would give immunity any person who “witnesses” or “becomes aware that another person was a victim of a crime” and reports it.
That language would “allow a pimp or trafficker to claim he became aware that a person in prostitution became the victim of a crime — and get off the hook for engaging in trafficking,” Gaetan wrote. “In short,” she said, that language “gives bad actors a ‘get out of jail free card’ for no good purpose.”
Gaetan called for eliminating that language, and said, “This would advance justice for trafficking victims by not providing immunity from prosecution for clever or lawyered up traffickers.”
— Amanda Milkovits of the Globe R.I. staff contributed to this report.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
Local News
The vehicle’s three occupants are believed to still be inside.
A car carrying a family of three went into the Seekonk River in Rhode Island Sunday evening, authorities said.
The vehicle entered the river near the Taft Street boat ramp shortly before 7:30 p.m., Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said in a statement.
A bystander riding a jet ski heard the car dive into the water and attempted to help, while another witness called 911, according to Goncalves.
First responders arrived within three minutes of the emergency call, Goncalves noted.
The vehicle’s three occupants are believed to still be inside, The Boston Globe reported.
Recovery efforts resumed Monday, with Pawtucket police and fire personnel working alongside Rhode Island State Police and other state agencies to remove the vehicle from the river, Goncalves said.
“Conditions are extremely challenging for dive teams due to the strong current and poor underwater visibility,” she added.
A video released by the Globe shows the car being recovered from the water Monday afternoon.
Authorities have not released the identities or conditions of the occupants.
“We ask that you please keep the family and their loved ones in your prayers as our first responders continue recovery efforts,” Goncalves said.
(WJAR) — Rhode Island leaders will announce millions in funding for road improvements in Aquidneck Island on Monday.
Members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation will announce $19,250,000 in federal funding for the project.
File image of traffic in Aquidneck Island. (WJAR)
It’s meant to improve road and sidewalk conditions on the island.
This will include high-visibility crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety.
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Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressman Gabe Amo are expected to attend.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from June 28 drawing
Midday: 7-7-1-0
Evening: 6-7-5-2
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from June 28 drawing
04-05-07-13-32, Extra: 18
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing
04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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