Select Page Rhode Island Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Require Conviction for Asset Forfeiture, Opt State Out of Federal Program PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 25, 2021) – Yesterday, a Rhode Island Senate committee held a hearing on a bill that would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to require a criminal conviction in most cases, and also opt the state out of a federal asset forfeiture program known as “equitable sharing.” A coalition of five Democrats introduced Senate Bill 732 (S732) on March 26. Under the proposed law, prosecutors would not be able to move forward with asset forfeiture proceedings without first obtaining a criminal conviction in most cases. The legislation would also raise the standard of proof necessary to complete forfeiture from a preponderance of evidence to clear and convincing evidence.