S2156 (2026): Carjacking Self-Defense Presumption

What the Bill Would Do

S2156 would establish a rebuttable defense in Rhode Island law for situations where a person dies or sustains personal injury while committing robbery of a motor vehicle, and the vehicle's owner, lessor, or occupant acted in self-defense. This would provide a legal presumption in favor of the vehicle occupant who used defensive force during a carjacking.

Sponsors

The bill was introduced by Sen. Gordon Rogers (R) with cosponsors Sen. Jessica de la Cruz (R), Sen. Elaine Morgan (R), and Sen. Leonidas Raptakis (D), making it a bipartisan effort.

Current Status

Introduced on January 16, 2026 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. No hearing date has been scheduled as of March 2026.

Context

Rhode Island already recognizes the castle doctrine for home defense under RIGL 11-8-8, which provides a presumption that deadly force is justified when an intruder unlawfully enters an occupied dwelling. S2156 would extend a similar concept to motor vehicle robberies. The bill arrives amid rising carjacking rates in several Rhode Island cities and reflects a national trend of states expanding self-defense protections beyond the home.