• 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
Jun 29, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Third-Degree Sexual Assault (H 5817A)

Legislation
Jun 29, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Animal Teasing (H 6043, S 779)

Nothing encapsulated the issue of the “statehouse to prison pipeline” better in the 2018 session than the general assembly’s passage of legislation which would punish by up to a year in prison any person who “maliciously teases” a police horse or canine.
Legislation
May 17, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Expungement of Marijuana Charges (H 6066)

We supported this legislation which would have authorized the expungement of criminal convictions related to the possession of marijuana, presumably in conjunction with the legalization of the drug.
Legislation
May 10, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Cannabis Equity Act (H 6067)

This legislation would have statutorily mandated a study to determine whether these racial disparities exist in both the process to obtain a state license to sell marijuana and in arrest and conviction rates for marijuana-related crimes.
Legislation
Apr 26, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Fair Chance Licensing (H 5863, S 610)

This legislation would have ensured that an individual’s prior criminal record is not the sole measure by which an applicant is disqualified for a license, and would have created a comprehensive process for determining the relevancy of a conviction to the license being sought.
Legislation
Apr 16, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Bail Reform (H 5088, H 6065, S 492, S 602)

While wealthier individuals who can post bail are permitted to go home while awaiting their hearings, those without immediate cash flow are forced to stay in jail until their case is heard, creating a wealth-based incarceration system.
Legislation
Apr 16, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Drug Reclassification (H 5760, S 472)

The implications of a felony charge versus a misdemeanor are substantial, and impact numerous facets of one’s life, including access to employment, housing and higher education. This legislation would have reclassified simple drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Legislation
Mar 29, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Harm Reduction Centers (H 5545 and S 297)

We testified in favor of legislation which would have implemented a pilot program for harm reduction clinics but noted that a critical part of its success would be statutorily ensuring that law enforcement have no jurisdiction over the clinic.
Legislation
Mar 29, 2019
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Gun Bills

The ACLU has consistently opposed the imposition of mandatory minimum sentencing terms because they are ineffective, costly, eliminate individualized consideration of the offender and the circumstances of the offense, and place too much power in the hands of prosecutors instead of neutral judges.
Legislation
Jun 29, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
Jun 29, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Third-Degree Sexual Assault (H 5817A)

Explore Legislation
Legislation
Jun 29, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
Jun 29, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Animal Teasing (H 6043, S 779)

Nothing encapsulated the issue of the “statehouse to prison pipeline” better in the 2018 session than the general assembly’s passage of legislation which would punish by up to a year in prison any person who “maliciously teases” a police horse or canine.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
May 17, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
May 17, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Expungement of Marijuana Charges (H 6066)

We supported this legislation which would have authorized the expungement of criminal convictions related to the possession of marijuana, presumably in conjunction with the legalization of the drug.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
May 10, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
May 10, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Cannabis Equity Act (H 6067)

This legislation would have statutorily mandated a study to determine whether these racial disparities exist in both the process to obtain a state license to sell marijuana and in arrest and conviction rates for marijuana-related crimes.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 26, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 26, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Fair Chance Licensing (H 5863, S 610)

This legislation would have ensured that an individual’s prior criminal record is not the sole measure by which an applicant is disqualified for a license, and would have created a comprehensive process for determining the relevancy of a conviction to the license being sought.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 16, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 16, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Bail Reform (H 5088, H 6065, S 492, S 602)

While wealthier individuals who can post bail are permitted to go home while awaiting their hearings, those without immediate cash flow are forced to stay in jail until their case is heard, creating a wealth-based incarceration system.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 16, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 16, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Drug Reclassification (H 5760, S 472)

The implications of a felony charge versus a misdemeanor are substantial, and impact numerous facets of one’s life, including access to employment, housing and higher education. This legislation would have reclassified simple drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 29, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 29, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Harm Reduction Centers (H 5545 and S 297)

We testified in favor of legislation which would have implemented a pilot program for harm reduction clinics but noted that a critical part of its success would be statutorily ensuring that law enforcement have no jurisdiction over the clinic.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 29, 2019
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 29, 2019
  • Criminal Justice

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Gun Bills

The ACLU has consistently opposed the imposition of mandatory minimum sentencing terms because they are ineffective, costly, eliminate individualized consideration of the offender and the circumstances of the offense, and place too much power in the hands of prosecutors instead of neutral judges.
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