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Legislation

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All Legislation

Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • First Amendment

Cyberstalking (H 5748, S 566)

Under a bill proposed by the Attorney General, any person who posts on a website opinions or information – even factual data – could be potentially subject to criminal charges if the posting is designed to “harass” and could cause a person “substantial emotional distress.”
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • First Amendment

Right to Strike (H 5232, S 658)

The ACLU testified against a bill that would authorize the license suspension of teachers who engage in a strike, defined so broadly as to include a teacher’s “abstaining” even in part “from the full performance of his or her duties in his or her normal manner without permission.”
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • Racial Justice

R.I. Civil Rights Act (S 5135, S 162)

This pro-civil rights legislation clarifies that plaintiffs have three years, rather than one year, to sue under the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act, a major state law prohibiting discrimination in employment and other settings.
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • Gender Equality

Smoking Signs (H 5800)

Retailers are currently required by law to post signs where tobacco products are sold to remind minors that it’s illegal for them to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products. Proposed legislation would require those signs to add a warning to pregnant women that smoking is bad for them.
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • Racial Justice

Comprehensive Racial Profiling Bill (H 5108, S 155)

Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • Racial Justice

“Primary Seat Belt” Law (H 5983, Article 18)

The House removed from the Governor’s proposed budget a provision that would have allowed police to pull cars over for seat belt violations.
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • Racial Justice

“Racial Profiling Awareness Month” (H 6192, S 909)

Though largely symbolic, the Senate passed a resolution declaring the month of May “Racial Profiling Awareness Month” to coincide with an effort by the bill’s supporters, including the Affiliate, to gather real-life stories from victims of racial profiling.
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Mandatory Sentencing (H 5007, S 39)

A twice vetoed bill that would eliminate the draconian mandatory minimum sentences contained in some of Rhode Island’s drug laws, which are the harshest in all of New England, appears headed back to the Governor.
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Prostitution (H 5044, S 596)

Capitulating to a strong push to close a so-called “loophole” in state law that made indoor prostitution legal, a bill was passed that includes not only jail time for first-time offenders, but a forfeiture provision that will deprive offenders of money derived from income earned as a prostitute.
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • First Amendment

Cyberstalking (H 5748, S 566)

Under a bill proposed by the Attorney General, any person who posts on a website opinions or information – even factual data – could be potentially subject to criminal charges if the posting is designed to “harass” and could cause a person “substantial emotional distress.”
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • First Amendment

Right to Strike (H 5232, S 658)

The ACLU testified against a bill that would authorize the license suspension of teachers who engage in a strike, defined so broadly as to include a teacher’s “abstaining” even in part “from the full performance of his or her duties in his or her normal manner without permission.”
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • Racial Justice

R.I. Civil Rights Act (S 5135, S 162)

This pro-civil rights legislation clarifies that plaintiffs have three years, rather than one year, to sue under the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act, a major state law prohibiting discrimination in employment and other settings.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • Gender Equality

Smoking Signs (H 5800)

Retailers are currently required by law to post signs where tobacco products are sold to remind minors that it’s illegal for them to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products. Proposed legislation would require those signs to add a warning to pregnant women that smoking is bad for them.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • Racial Justice

Comprehensive Racial Profiling Bill (H 5108, S 155)

Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • Racial Justice

“Primary Seat Belt” Law (H 5983, Article 18)

The House removed from the Governor’s proposed budget a provision that would have allowed police to pull cars over for seat belt violations.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • Racial Justice

“Racial Profiling Awareness Month” (H 6192, S 909)

Though largely symbolic, the Senate passed a resolution declaring the month of May “Racial Profiling Awareness Month” to coincide with an effort by the bill’s supporters, including the Affiliate, to gather real-life stories from victims of racial profiling.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • Criminal Justice

Mandatory Sentencing (H 5007, S 39)

A twice vetoed bill that would eliminate the draconian mandatory minimum sentences contained in some of Rhode Island’s drug laws, which are the harshest in all of New England, appears headed back to the Governor.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
  • Criminal Justice

Prostitution (H 5044, S 596)

Capitulating to a strong push to close a so-called “loophole” in state law that made indoor prostitution legal, a bill was passed that includes not only jail time for first-time offenders, but a forfeiture provision that will deprive offenders of money derived from income earned as a prostitute.
Explore Legislation
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