Rhode Island Legislature Passes Bill To Revoke Sex Offenders' Pensions

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island legislature passed a bill to revoke or reduce a sex offender's state pension benefits.

The proposed legislation was sponsored by state House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Carol Hagan McEntee, D-South Kingstown and Narragansett, and state Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma, D-Middletown, Little Compton, Newport and Tiverton.

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“Pensions are a way the taxpayers thank a public employee for a job well done throughout their career," McEntee said in a media release.

"If a public employee commits and is convicted of a sex crime during the course of their official duties, they absolutely do not deserve any more taxpayer dollars through a pension," McEntee said. "No one should be rewarded with a public pension for being a sex predator on the job."

The proposed legislation would authorize the state retirement board to revoke or reduce an individual’s pension benefits if that found guilty, or pleads guilty or no contest, to a felony sex crime related to their public office or public employment, according to the release.

“Any state worker who commits a sex crime in relation to their official duties does not in any way deserve the continued financial support of the state through pension benefits," DiPalma said in the release. "This is a common-sense measure that will hold sex offenders accountable for their despicable actions.”

The bill now heads to Gov. Dan McKee for his consideration.

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