Municipal Ordinance (S 0844)

Under state law, municipalities can charge no more than $500 for violations of municipal ordinances that do not rise to the level of criminal offenses. Under legislation passed by the Senate in June that number could have quadrupled. In May, the ACLU testified that this legislation, submitted on behalf of the City of Providence, would allow municipalities to levy $2,000 for violations of ordinances such as disorderly conduct and panhandling. Fines for these ordinances are already disproportionately levied against individuals least able to pay, raising serious questions about the ability of residents to manage such large fines. Although the Senate approved this legislation in June, the bill did not receive a vote in House committee, and died.