Legislation

This legislation sought to integrate into the current driver’s education curriculum the responsibilities of a driver during a traffic stop. We argued that in addition to learning about their responsibilities, drivers should be taught their rights during a traffic stop.

This legislation, opposed by the ACLU, would have allowed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to attest to a patient’s mental health condition and participate in certifying patients for mandated outpatient treatment, something that only doctors can do presently.

In June, the ACLU testified in the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of legislation which sought to expand that law by prohibiting shackling pregnant women in their third trimester while they were being transported to or from a court proceeding.

The ACLU joined with the Public Defender and the RI Coalition for the Homeless to support legislation requiring municipal courts to provide free attorneys to indigent defendants charged with ordinance violations that could result in imprisonment.