All Legislation

Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • Criminal Justice Reform

Mandatory Seat Belts (H 7596, H 8044, S 2373)

The ACLU testified before the House and Senate Judiciary committees in March in opposition to legislation which would remove the “sunset” provision on the primary seat belt law, rendering it permanent.
Status: Died
Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • Criminal Justice Reform

Moral Turpitude (S 2705)

ACLU-drafted legislation removing the phrase “moral turpitude” from state licensing statutes was heard in March by the Senate Health and Human Services committee.
Status: Died
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • Criminal Justice Reform

Sex Offenders (H 7075, S 2572)

The legislature again considered bills to expand the scope of the state’s sex offender registration and notification laws.
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • Criminal Justice Reform

Smoking in Cars (H 8238, S 2204A)

In March, the Affiliate testified before the Senate Health and Human Services committee in opposition to legislation barring smoking in any motor vehicle carrying a child.
Status: Died
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • First Amendment

False Information Ban (H 7389, S 2339)

Until this year, an outdated and overly-broad section of Rhode Island law stated that transmitting any false information over the Internet was a misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 and up to one year in jail.
Status: Passed
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • First Amendment

Political Advertising (H 7970, S 2644)

The General Assembly passed another ACLU-drafted free speech bill, this time ensuring citizens the right to criticize their elected officials in public newspapers.
Status: Passed
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • Immigrants’ Rights

E-Verify (H 7315, H 7927, S 2216)

The General Assembly again considered a number of bills to require the use of the E-Verify program before hiring any workers.
Status: Died
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • Government Transparency

Access to Public Records (H 7555A, S 2652A)

After years of negotiation between open government groups, law enforcement, and the Attorney General’s office, the General Assembly this year passed much-needed legislation strengthening the state’s open records law, known as APRA.
Status: Passed
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 22, 2012
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  • First Amendment

Campaign Finance (H 7859B, S 2569A)

The General Assembly passed campaign finance legislation aimed at combatting so-called Super PACs, but which carried serious ramifications for small organizations, including non-profits, which engage in referenda campaigns or even publicly references legislators too close to an election.
Position: Support