Legislation

A human trafficking bill also passed with problematic, overly broad language. As defined, a now-unlawful “sexually-explicit performance” of a minor could have severe First Amendment implications for the art community.

The ACLU testified against a budget article proposed by the Governor that would increase from $5 to $25 the cost for a criminal records check.

For almost a decade, the ACLU and the Public Defender successfully fought off a proposal to allow police officers to forcibly obtain blood samples from individuals involved in serious car accidents where there was a suspicion of DUI.

On a positive note, the Assembly sent a package of sex offender legislation back to committee, killing the bills for the year.

The Senate thankfully did not vote on legislation that would require all non-governmental businesses to use the controversial and flawed E-Verify program to verify the work eligibility status of new hires.

The Senate has passed ACLU-proposed legislation that would codify into state law a consent agreement between the Rhode Island Department of Human Services and the federal government requiring appropriate language interpreter services for DHS clients.

Among other things, this bill shortens the timeframe for public bodies to respond to open records requests and requires training of public information officers on their APRA obligations.

After gutting the open records bill, the House added insult to injury by passing a bill that would keep secret, until the conclusion of grand jury proceedings, names of police officers involved in fatal shootings of civilians.

Continuing an unfortunate trend over the years, the House of Representatives decided this session to further cut-off public access to the House floor before sessions begin.