PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The Rhode Island Senate has passed a bill stiffening punishments for gang-related crimes.
The legislation would add a term of up to 10 years for felonies committed in association with any criminal street gang. The time would be in addition to the sentence for the underlying crime. The term would be served consecutively and could not be suspended.
Sen. Paul Jabour, a Providence Democrat, introduced the bill on behalf of state Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
The legislation has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. A similar bill has been introduced by Rep. Raymond Hull.
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