Legislation

The General Assembly considered a spate of bills this session authorizing both statewide and fingerprint-based national criminal background checks on employees in a wide variety of circumstances.

In March the ACLU testified before the House labor committee in support of a bill that would bar employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history before determining whether or not they are a qualified candidate for the job.

In one of the most disturbing civil liberties setbacks in years, the Governor signed into law a bill requiring voters to present photo identification before casting a ballot at the polls.

House and Senate committees heard testimony, but took no action, on several marijuana-focused bills this year.

The Affiliate testified in opposition to legislation permitting the National Guard to receive a portion of the funds garnered from money and items confiscated during counterdrug operations.

The ACLU, joined by the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Association, testified against legislation that would have expanded the reach and use of drug courts in the state.

Over ACLU objections, the General Assembly has enacted a law making it illegal for minors to engage in “sexting,” the widespread practice among teenagers of transmitting nude photos of themselves to others.

Over ACLU objections, Governor Chafee has signed into law problematic legislation designed to address the problem of bullying in the schools.

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