Legislation

The Affiliate testified in opposition to a bill to ban texting by students during school hours.

For the third year in a row, the General Assembly debated whether to allow 18-20 year olds to enter nightclubs in order to address the problem of underage drinking.

The General Assembly enacted legislation creating a pilot recovery high school program for students with substance abuse addictions.

Surveys indicate that 20% of teenagers have engaged in “sexting,” the practice of sending nude or semi-nude photos of oneself via cell phones or similar technology. The response: a bill from the Attorney General to drag these teens into Family Court and turn them into status offenders.

For the second year in a row, there’s a focus on whether to allow 18-20 year olds into nightclubs.

A liquor store owner who sells alcohol to a minor faces a $250 fine for a first offense. However, a major push is being made to amend the state’s “social host” law to subject teenagers under 21 to a six-month prison sentence if they give alcohol to someone else also under the age of 21.

A bill from the Attorney General’s office has again been introduced and heard this year that would set enhanced and mandatory sentences for “criminal street gang” activity.

Despite ACLU opposition, both the House and Senate have passed a bill authorizing Woonsocket schools to require students to wear school uniforms.

We testified against a bill that aims to set up a government-appointed council to “provide oversight” of private youth sports organizations, including the power to impose fines against coaches, players, parents or officials in response to complaints arising from youth sporting events.