Legislation

Often, seemingly innocuous licensing bills have provisions including expansive and vague language which could render individuals with a criminal background, no matter what crimes they have been convicted of or how long ago their conviction was, unable to procure certain occupational licenses.

Though the ACLU recognizes the importance of substance abuse education, this proposed article in the FY 2021 budget would fund such programs by implementing a hefty financial penalty on those convicted of either a DUI or refusal to submit to a breathalyzer to fund those programs.

Despite housing instability being a major contributor to recidivism, this bill would problematically allow any innkeeper or hotel to forcibly remove a level III sex offender from their premises if the sex offender resides there for thirty days or more.

This provision in the FY 2021 budget would implement a procedure for geriatric parole in Rhode Island.

Two bills introduced this session would provide avenues for expungement of certain offenses related to drug possession and would ensure rehabilitation and community reintegration following an individual’s involvement with the criminal justice system.

This legislation, supported by the ACLU, would severely limit the number of juveniles adjudicated in Family Court for sex offenses who would be required to register under SORNA.

We supported legislation which would have allowed the pretrial release of individuals without the requirement of monetary bail for most misdemeanor charges.

One of many bills which would generate a “new” crime would create specific penalties for individuals who commit larceny by stealing packages from either a house, office, or other dwelling.

This bill would unnecessarily expand the punishments which can be doled out under the animal cruelty laws, including for hoarding offenses.