Driver's Education (H 7003, H 7084, H 7156, H 7194, S 3010)

Tragedies during routine traffic stops nationwide prompted legislation last year integrating into the current driver’s education curriculum the responsibilities of a driver during a traffic stop. Such education is timely and important, but the proposals raised concerns for the ACLU and community groups like the Human Rights Commission, RI for Community and Justice, and Jobs for Justice, who argued that drivers should also be taught their rights during a traffic stop. In response to those objections, revised legislation was introduced this year to do just that. The ACLU testified in support of those proposals, H 7156 from Rep. John Lombardi and H 7194 from Rep. Joseph McNamara. The General Assembly agreed: H 7194 was approved by the House in May, and a companion bill by Sen. Gayle Goldin (S 3010) passed the Senate in June.