• About
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • FAQs
    • Jobs
    • ACLU National
  • Issues
    • All Issues
    • Criminal Justice
    • Disability Rights
    • Due Process
    • Economic Justice
    • First Amendment
    • Gender Equality
    • Government Transparency
    • Immigrants' Rights
    • LGBTQ+ Rights
    • Privacy
    • Racial Justice
    • Students' Rights
    • Voting Rights
    • Workers' Rights
  • Our Work
    • News
    • Cases
    • Legislation
    • Legislative Dashboard
    • Letters & Testimony
    • Firewall for Freedom
    • Reports
    • Campaigns
    • Newsletters
  • Get Help
    • File a Complaint
    • Police Misconduct
    • Other Legal Resources
    • Community Resources
  • Know Your Rights
  • Get Involved
    • Advocacy 101
    • Events
    • Volunteer
    • Advocacy Alerts
  • Donate
    • Donate to the Foundation
    • Become a Member/Renew Your Membership
  • Donate
    • Donate to the Foundation
    • Become a Member/Renew Your Membership

Legislation

Share this page
      • 2025
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 2005
      • 2004
      • Criminal Justice
      • Disability Rights
      • Due Process
      • Economic Justice
      • First Amendment
      • Gender Equality
      • Government Transparency
      • Immigrants’ Rights
      • LGBTQ+ Rights
      • Privacy
      • Racial Justice
      • Students’ Rights
      • Voting Rights
      • Workers’ Rights
Filter by Issue: Criminal J...
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • Criminal Justice
    • Disability Rights
    • Due Process
    • Economic Justice
    • First Amendment
    • Gender Equality
    • Government Transparency
    • Immigrants’ Rights
    • LGBTQ+ Rights
    • Privacy
    • Racial Justice
    • Students’ Rights
    • Voting Rights
    • Workers’ Rights

All Legislation

Legislation
May 05, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORNA) (H 5503)

Under current state law, sex offenders are classified based on a variety of factors and risk assessment evaluations. This bill would classify the offender’s risk based solely on the offense for which he or she was convicted.
Legislation
Apr 14, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Legalizing Marijuana (H 5555, S 420)

In April, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from numerous organizations and professionals regarding legislation that seeks to regulate and tax marijuana similarly to what states like Colorado have done.
Legislation
Apr 10, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Police Body Cameras (H 5926)

For the second year in a row, legislation has been proposed to set up the framework to ensure that the use of body cameras among police agencies in Rhode Island properly safeguards the integrity of encounters between law enforcement and civilians.
Legislation
Mar 27, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Sex Offenders

Several bills were heard in the Senate and House Judiciary Committee related to sex offenders in efforts to once again limit the rights and discriminate against this group of offenders, making it much harder for them to reintegrate into society.
Legislation
Mar 03, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Good Samaritan - Alcohol Overdose (H 5402, S 170)

This legislation would protect individuals from being prosecuted when they seek medical assistance for someone experiencing an alcohol overdose and alcohol use by minors.
Legislation
Mar 03, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Unauthorized Computer Access (H 5543, S 592)

As part of a package of computer crimes legislation put forward by the Attorney General's office, whistleblowers would be treated the same as malicious hackers, subjecting them to felony penalties for gaining "unauthorized access" to a computer.
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Background Checks

Every year numerous bills are introduced into the General Assembly that seek to expand the use of background checks in professions and or volunteering opportunities that rather than promote public safety, further push ex-offenders outside of a positive community atmosphere.
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Juvenile Sentencing (H 5183, S 0237)

Under the proposed legislation, juveniles who are sentenced as adults would automatically come before the parole board after fifteen years, regardless of the length of their sentence, giving these young adults the chance to prove their fitness to return to society.
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Justice Reinvestment Package

After a great deal of political maneuvering, the General Assembly passed a package of bills aimed at improving the criminal justice system.
Legislation
May 05, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
May 05, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORNA) (H 5503)

Under current state law, sex offenders are classified based on a variety of factors and risk assessment evaluations. This bill would classify the offender’s risk based solely on the offense for which he or she was convicted.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 14, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 14, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Legalizing Marijuana (H 5555, S 420)

In April, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from numerous organizations and professionals regarding legislation that seeks to regulate and tax marijuana similarly to what states like Colorado have done.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 10, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 10, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Police Body Cameras (H 5926)

For the second year in a row, legislation has been proposed to set up the framework to ensure that the use of body cameras among police agencies in Rhode Island properly safeguards the integrity of encounters between law enforcement and civilians.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 27, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 27, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Sex Offenders

Several bills were heard in the Senate and House Judiciary Committee related to sex offenders in efforts to once again limit the rights and discriminate against this group of offenders, making it much harder for them to reintegrate into society.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 03, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 03, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Good Samaritan - Alcohol Overdose (H 5402, S 170)

This legislation would protect individuals from being prosecuted when they seek medical assistance for someone experiencing an alcohol overdose and alcohol use by minors.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 03, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 03, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Unauthorized Computer Access (H 5543, S 592)

As part of a package of computer crimes legislation put forward by the Attorney General's office, whistleblowers would be treated the same as malicious hackers, subjecting them to felony penalties for gaining "unauthorized access" to a computer.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Background Checks

Every year numerous bills are introduced into the General Assembly that seek to expand the use of background checks in professions and or volunteering opportunities that rather than promote public safety, further push ex-offenders outside of a positive community atmosphere.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Juvenile Sentencing (H 5183, S 0237)

Under the proposed legislation, juveniles who are sentenced as adults would automatically come before the parole board after fifteen years, regardless of the length of their sentence, giving these young adults the chance to prove their fitness to return to society.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
Placeholder image
Legislation
Feb 22, 2017
  • Criminal Justice

Justice Reinvestment Package

After a great deal of political maneuvering, the General Assembly passed a package of bills aimed at improving the criminal justice system.
Explore Legislation
1 2

Stay Informed

Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.

By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.

By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.

  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • All Issues
  • Know Your Rights

© 2025 ACLU of Rhode Island

  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Statement
  • Website Accessibility