• 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
May 31, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Involuntary Commitment of Substance Abusers (H 7724, H 7725A as amended)

A pair of bills to address the opioid overdose crisis would have caused considerable damage instead by allowing for the involuntary commitment of people with substance abuse disorders considered a danger to themselves or others.
Legislation
May 31, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients (H 7899)

In April, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in support of legislation to clarify the law protecting medical marijuana patients from discrimination by their employers.
Legislation
May 25, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) (H 7541A, S 2586A)

Legislation passed by the General Assembly this year will impose additional onerous registration and community notification requirements on sex offenders which make it even more difficult to find housing and rehabilitate and reintegrate into society.
Legislation
Apr 25, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Civil Forfeiture (H 7590, H 7640, S 2681)

The ACLU strongly supported legislation to address problems with the entire concept of civil forfeiture. These bills would have ensured judicial oversight, and that law enforcement could not confiscate a person's belongings even when they know they cannot make a criminal case against them.
Legislation
Apr 24, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Sex Offenders in Hotels (H 7646)

The General Assembly continued its spate this year of legislation to further penalize sex offenders without emphasizing public safety. This year, that included legislation would authorize innkeepers to kick out any Level III sex offender living in the establishment for more than 30 days.
Legislation
Apr 13, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Employee use of Medical Marijuana (H 7899)

This important legislation would make it unlawful for employers to refuse to hire, discharge or otherwise discriminate against an individual on account of their use of medical marijuana.
Legislation
Apr 11, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Drug Dealer Life Sentence (H 7715A as amended, S 2279B)

Among the most dangerous of legislation put forward by the Attorney General’s office in response to the opioid crisis was this measure to impose a life sentence on anyone who provides an unlawful controlled substance to a person, when consumption of that substance results in the person’s death.
Legislation
Mar 30, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Moral Turpitude (H 7764, S 2337)

"Moral turpitude" is a legally ambiguous term that has caused considerable confusion in Rhode Island. Currently, this antiquated term can be found in several professional licensing statutes as a basis on which to deny or revoke a person's professional license.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2018
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Civil Death (H 7466, S 2269)

Rhode Island remains one of only three states to still have on the books a statute declaring as "civilly dead" any person serving a life sentence. It's a provision so archaic the Harvard Law Review called it "outworn as a mode of punishment" all the way back in 1937.
Legislation
May 31, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
May 31, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Involuntary Commitment of Substance Abusers (H 7724, H 7725A as amended)

A pair of bills to address the opioid overdose crisis would have caused considerable damage instead by allowing for the involuntary commitment of people with substance abuse disorders considered a danger to themselves or others.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
May 31, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
May 31, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients (H 7899)

In April, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in support of legislation to clarify the law protecting medical marijuana patients from discrimination by their employers.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
May 25, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
May 25, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) (H 7541A, S 2586A)

Legislation passed by the General Assembly this year will impose additional onerous registration and community notification requirements on sex offenders which make it even more difficult to find housing and rehabilitate and reintegrate into society.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 25, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 25, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Civil Forfeiture (H 7590, H 7640, S 2681)

The ACLU strongly supported legislation to address problems with the entire concept of civil forfeiture. These bills would have ensured judicial oversight, and that law enforcement could not confiscate a person's belongings even when they know they cannot make a criminal case against them.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 24, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 24, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Sex Offenders in Hotels (H 7646)

The General Assembly continued its spate this year of legislation to further penalize sex offenders without emphasizing public safety. This year, that included legislation would authorize innkeepers to kick out any Level III sex offender living in the establishment for more than 30 days.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 13, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 13, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Employee use of Medical Marijuana (H 7899)

This important legislation would make it unlawful for employers to refuse to hire, discharge or otherwise discriminate against an individual on account of their use of medical marijuana.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 11, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 11, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Drug Dealer Life Sentence (H 7715A as amended, S 2279B)

Among the most dangerous of legislation put forward by the Attorney General’s office in response to the opioid crisis was this measure to impose a life sentence on anyone who provides an unlawful controlled substance to a person, when consumption of that substance results in the person’s death.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 30, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 30, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Moral Turpitude (H 7764, S 2337)

"Moral turpitude" is a legally ambiguous term that has caused considerable confusion in Rhode Island. Currently, this antiquated term can be found in several professional licensing statutes as a basis on which to deny or revoke a person's professional license.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2018
Placeholder image
Legislation
Mar 21, 2018
  • Criminal Justice

Civil Death (H 7466, S 2269)

Rhode Island remains one of only three states to still have on the books a statute declaring as "civilly dead" any person serving a life sentence. It's a provision so archaic the Harvard Law Review called it "outworn as a mode of punishment" all the way back in 1937.
Explore Legislation
1 … 21 22 23 … 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