Legislation

An ACLU bill that would require schools to take a case-by-case approach in determining the appropriate discipline for students charged with drug, alcohol or weapons violations, passed the Senate but died in the House.

At present, health care providers are required to report the names of patients with AIDS, but not those who are only HIV-positive.

The legislature overwhelmingly approved an ACLU bill specifying that domestic partner health insurance benefits are not taxable income for state income tax purposes, and explicitly entitling state employees and their partners to the protections of COBRA and to the state’s Family Medical Leave Act.

A new law, promoted by the ACLU, will limit the phone call charges that can be imposed on inmates.

The ACLU, the R.I. Disability Law Center and the R.I. Council of Community Mental Health Organizations helped persuade the Governor to veto a bill that would have allowed the Mental Health Advocate to petition the court to involuntarily transfer inmates from the ACI to the custody of MHRH.

A series of bills with civil liberties implications did not make it out of committee this session.

2006 legislative session highlights.

2006 legislative session lowlights.

Before enacting a bill providing tax credits for the production of movies and television shows in Rhode Island, the General Assembly took heed of ACLU censorship concerns.