Legislation

When Rhode Island decriminalized marijuana just two years ago, it did so in part to keep youth out of jail for minor marijuana use. Yet, legislation under consideration this year sought to undo that progress and put juveniles found with under an ounce of marijuana back in front of a judge.

In March and April, the ACLU testified before the Senate and House Judiciary committees, respectively, in opposition to legislation extending from 300 to 1,000 feet the distance sex offenders must reside from a school.

In April, despite ACLU testimony in opposition, the Senate passed legislation requiring that individuals convicted of first or second degree murder serve at least fifty percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole; the House followed in May.

In March, the ACLU testified before the Senate Judiciary committee in opposition to legislation prohibiting virtually all synthetic cannabinoids and establishing a process to make more synthetic cannabinoids illegal without any legislative process.

In February, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in opposition to legislation making the use of a computer, phone, or similar device to make threats against a school or daycare facility a felony.

The ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in February in opposition to legislation dealing with unauthorized computer access.

The ACLU provided testimony to the House Judiciary committee in February against legislation criminalizing the transmission of HIV in certain circumstances.

The ACLU testified in support of legislation to limit this the practice of civil asset forfeiture by requiring an individual to be convicted of an offense before their assets can be relinquished, and ensuring that co-owners of assets are not unfairly punished.

The U.S. Supreme Court banned states from imposing on juvenile offenders a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole, but states retain the discretion to impose the penalty on a case-by-case basis. Legislation sought to make this off-limits altogether for juvenile defendants in RI.