Sex abuse claims in the Catholic Church in Rhode Island

Rhode Island reopened the courthouse to survivors of childhood clergy abuse in 2026. On June 11, 2026, Governor Dan McKee signed legislation — effective July 1, 2026 — that created a two-year revival window running through June 30, 2028 for previously time-barred childhood sexual abuse claims against institutions that knew about, concealed, or failed to prevent the abuse (Office of the Governor, governor.ri.gov).

The reform followed a 282-page report released in March 2026 by Attorney General Peter Neronha documenting decades of clergy sexual abuse and cover-ups within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, and Senate passage on June 3, 2026. For survivors abused as children in a parish, Catholic school, or diocesan program anywhere in Rhode Island, the window means a claim the old statute had silenced can be filed again — but only until it closes. Rhode Island courts allow survivors to proceed under a 'John Doe' or 'Jane Doe' pseudonym, keeping names out of the public record.

Going forward, the law also extends the deadline to 35 years from the abuse or 7 years from when a survivor connects an injury to it, whichever is later, with the clock starting at age 18. A free, confidential review can tell you whether the window applies to your claim.