Legislation

In early June, legislation that seeks to expand the denial of vehicle registration to individuals who may have outstanding unpaid interest or penalties on fines owed to a city or town was introduced.

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.

Earlier this year, legislation introduced mandates that an individual who is found guilty of hoarding animals will be ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, against their will, to determine if counseling or treatment should become an additional condition of the sentence.

This spring, the ACLU testified in support of important legislation which would recognize the importance of encouraging student journalism and guaranteeing to students certain basic rights to freedom of the press.

Legislation introduced will require that a minor have a parent or guardian present during questioning by law enforcement.

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.

For years, the ACLU has been objecting to the procedures used by the Vehicle Value Commission in deciding the value of cars for tax purposes.

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.

These two pieces of legislation try to cover up their real motive behind a supposed “protection” for unborn children. Nevertheless, in reality both bills aim to undermine reproductive rights, threaten physicians, and enshrine into law the concept of “fetal personhood".