• About
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • FAQs
    • Jobs
    • ACLU National
  • Issues
    • All Issues
    • Criminal Justice
    • Disability Rights
    • Due Process
    • Economic Justice
    • First Amendment
    • Gender Equality
    • Government Transparency
    • Immigrants' Rights
    • LGBTQ+ Rights
    • Privacy
    • Racial Justice
    • Students' Rights
    • Voting Rights
    • Workers' Rights
  • Our Work
    • News
    • Cases
    • Legislation
    • Legislative Dashboard
    • Letters & Testimony
    • Firewall for Freedom
    • Reports
    • Campaigns
    • Newsletters
  • Get Help
    • File a Complaint
    • Police Misconduct
    • Other Legal Resources
    • Community Resources
  • Know Your Rights
  • Get Involved
    • Advocacy 101
    • Events
    • Volunteer
    • Advocacy Alerts
  • Donate
    • Donate to the Foundation
    • Become a Member/Renew Your Membership
  • Donate
    • Donate to the Foundation
    • Become a Member/Renew Your Membership

Legislation

Share this page
      • 2025
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 2005
      • 2004
      • Criminal Justice
      • Disability Rights
      • Due Process
      • Economic Justice
      • First Amendment
      • Gender Equality
      • Government Transparency
      • Immigrants’ Rights
      • LGBTQ+ Rights
      • Privacy
      • Racial Justice
      • Students’ Rights
      • Voting Rights
      • Workers’ Rights
Filter by Issue: Criminal J...
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • Criminal Justice
    • Disability Rights
    • Due Process
    • Economic Justice
    • First Amendment
    • Gender Equality
    • Government Transparency
    • Immigrants’ Rights
    • LGBTQ+ Rights
    • Privacy
    • Racial Justice
    • Students’ Rights
    • Voting Rights
    • Workers’ Rights

All Legislation

Legislation
Apr 29, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Background Checks for Private Instructors (H 8132A)

We initially opposed legislation which sought to implement a strict background check procedure for any individual who teaches or instructs children under the age of eighteen, but it was amended to address our concerns.
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Reckless Parenting (H 7807, S 2808)

We opposed legislation criminalizes parental actions if they created a “substantial and unjustifiable risk” of serious bodily injury to a child.
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
racial justice
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +1 Issue

Body-Worn Cameras (H 7937)

Following the 2021 implementation of a statewide infrastructure for a body-worn camera (BWC) program, we supported legislation which would have put in place statutory policies regarding BWCs.
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Decriminalization of Controlled Substances (H 7715, H 7896, H 8009)

We supported a variety of legislation which proposed to decriminalize certain drugs entirely or to change the threshold for which the possession of a certain amount of a controlled substance becomes a crime.
Legislation
Apr 08, 2022
gender equality
  • Gender Equality|
  • +1 Issue

Legal Immunity for Sex Workers (H 7704)

We testified in support of a bill which would have granted legal immunity to individuals engaged in commercial sexual activity who report a crime that they are either a victim of or witness to.
Legislation
Mar 28, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Parental Penalties for “Cyberstalking” (H 7567)

We opposed legislation which would have authorized a civil action against parents who demonstrate “willful or wanton disregard” in their exercise of “supervision and control” over a child who has committed the offense of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +3 Issues

Sex Work Decriminalization Commission

At a meeting of a state legislative commission designed to examine the impact of the criminalization of sex work, we testified in favor of decriminalization of these offenses and provided a number of other policy recommendations on the topic.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Personal Care Attendant Background Checks (Article 12, FY 2023 Budget)

We urged rejection of the sections of this bill which put in place criminal records checks that could broadly disqualify justice-involved individuals seeking to become Medicaid personal care attendants or high-risk providers.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
racial justice
  • Racial Justice|
  • +1 Issue

Ending “Life Without Parole” Sentencing (H 7191, S 2643)

Noting that “life without parole” sentencing robs incarcerated individuals of any rehabilitative hope, is a type of sentencing with a racially discriminatory impact, and is a wasteful use of public resources, we supported legislation to eliminate this criminal sentence in Rhode Island.
Legislation
Apr 29, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Apr 29, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Background Checks for Private Instructors (H 8132A)

We initially opposed legislation which sought to implement a strict background check procedure for any individual who teaches or instructs children under the age of eighteen, but it was amended to address our concerns.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Reckless Parenting (H 7807, S 2808)

We opposed legislation criminalizes parental actions if they created a “substantial and unjustifiable risk” of serious bodily injury to a child.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
racial justice
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +1 Issue

Body-Worn Cameras (H 7937)

Following the 2021 implementation of a statewide infrastructure for a body-worn camera (BWC) program, we supported legislation which would have put in place statutory policies regarding BWCs.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Apr 14, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Decriminalization of Controlled Substances (H 7715, H 7896, H 8009)

We supported a variety of legislation which proposed to decriminalize certain drugs entirely or to change the threshold for which the possession of a certain amount of a controlled substance becomes a crime.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 08, 2022
gender equality
Legislation
Apr 08, 2022
  • Gender Equality|
  • +1 Issue

Legal Immunity for Sex Workers (H 7704)

We testified in support of a bill which would have granted legal immunity to individuals engaged in commercial sexual activity who report a crime that they are either a victim of or witness to.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 28, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 28, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Parental Penalties for “Cyberstalking” (H 7567)

We opposed legislation which would have authorized a civil action against parents who demonstrate “willful or wanton disregard” in their exercise of “supervision and control” over a child who has committed the offense of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +3 Issues

Sex Work Decriminalization Commission

At a meeting of a state legislative commission designed to examine the impact of the criminalization of sex work, we testified in favor of decriminalization of these offenses and provided a number of other policy recommendations on the topic.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Personal Care Attendant Background Checks (Article 12, FY 2023 Budget)

We urged rejection of the sections of this bill which put in place criminal records checks that could broadly disqualify justice-involved individuals seeking to become Medicaid personal care attendants or high-risk providers.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
racial justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Racial Justice|
  • +1 Issue

Ending “Life Without Parole” Sentencing (H 7191, S 2643)

Noting that “life without parole” sentencing robs incarcerated individuals of any rehabilitative hope, is a type of sentencing with a racially discriminatory impact, and is a wasteful use of public resources, we supported legislation to eliminate this criminal sentence in Rhode Island.
Explore Legislation
1 … 11 12 13 … 38

Stay Informed

Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.

By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.

By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.

  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • All Issues
  • Know Your Rights

© 2025 ACLU of Rhode Island

  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Statement
  • Website Accessibility