All Legislation

Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Criminal Justice Reform

Human Trafficking (H 5661, S 605)

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.
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Criminal Justice Reform

Costs for BCI Checks (H 5983, Article 11)

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.
Status: Died
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Criminal Justice Reform

Protection from Self-Incrimination (H 5039, S 416)

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.
Status: Passed
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Criminal Justice Reform

Sex Offenders (H 6242, H 5749, H 5743, S 930)

On a positive note, the Assembly sent a package of sex offender legislation back to committee, killing the bills for the year.
Status: Died
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Immigrants’ Rights

E-Verify (H 5357, S 306)

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.
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Immigrants’ Rights

Interpreters (H 5357, S 306)

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.
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Government Transparency

Open Records (H 5136, S 374)

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.
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Government Transparency

Police Secrecy (H 6165)

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.
Status: Passed House, Died in Senate
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 07, 2009
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  • Government Transparency

Access to House and Senate Floors (H 5529, S 792)

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.
Position: Oppose