• 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 Session: 2016
    • 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
Jun 17, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Racial Justice

Constitutional Convention (H 7670, S 2589)

The RI General Assembly approved a dangerous resolution calling for a national constitutional convention.
Legislation
May 27, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Solitary Confinement (H 7481, S 2318)

In March and April, the ACLU gave testimony to the Senate and House Judiciary committees in support of legislation limiting the use of solitary confinement.
Legislation
May 27, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Juvenile Sentencing (H 7676, S 2846)

The ACLU testified in support of legislation ensuring juveniles given lengthy prison sentences would have the opportunity to appear before the parole board within fifteen years after the start of their sentence.
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Privacy

Health Information Exchange (H 7866, S 2898)

In 2016, the General Assembly greatly expanded the entities that have access to the Health Information Exchange, including granting access to broadly defined health plans for purposes totally unrelated to direct medical care, the original goal of the Exchange.
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Privacy

Warrantless Prescription Access (H 7518, S 2713)

In April, the House committee on Health, Education and Welfare approved dangerous legislation granting law enforcement access to the prescription information of thousands of Rhode Islanders without a warrant; the Senate Judiciary committee followed in May.
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Juvenile Marijuana Use (H 7362, S 2544)

This year, the General Assembly approved legislation, submitted on behalf of the Attorney General, undermining a previous effort to decriminalize marijuana effort by placing juveniles caught with marijuana back in front of a Family Court judge instead of the Traffic Tribunal.
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Human Trafficking (H 7527, S 2413 as amended)

Language in legislation to combat human trafficking carried serious potential for unintended consequences, including the further victimization of individuals caught up in trafficking.
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Criminal Justice

Unauthorized Computer Access (H 7406A, S 2584)

In February and March, the ACLU testified in opposition to broadly worded legislation that treated whistleblowers and overzealous spouses the same as malicious hackers, subjecting them to felony penalties for gaining "unauthorized access" to a computer.
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
Placeholder image
  • Due Process

Overdue Court Fees (H 7830, S 2505)

Individuals owing overdue court fees may soon find their names on a public list shaming scofflaws -- even if the fees are minor, decades old, or even inaccurate -- without prior notification.
Legislation
Jun 17, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
Jun 17, 2016
  • Racial Justice

Constitutional Convention (H 7670, S 2589)

The RI General Assembly approved a dangerous resolution calling for a national constitutional convention.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
May 27, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
May 27, 2016
  • Criminal Justice

Solitary Confinement (H 7481, S 2318)

In March and April, the ACLU gave testimony to the Senate and House Judiciary committees in support of legislation limiting the use of solitary confinement.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
May 27, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
May 27, 2016
  • Criminal Justice

Juvenile Sentencing (H 7676, S 2846)

The ACLU testified in support of legislation ensuring juveniles given lengthy prison sentences would have the opportunity to appear before the parole board within fifteen years after the start of their sentence.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
  • Privacy

Health Information Exchange (H 7866, S 2898)

In 2016, the General Assembly greatly expanded the entities that have access to the Health Information Exchange, including granting access to broadly defined health plans for purposes totally unrelated to direct medical care, the original goal of the Exchange.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
  • Privacy

Warrantless Prescription Access (H 7518, S 2713)

In April, the House committee on Health, Education and Welfare approved dangerous legislation granting law enforcement access to the prescription information of thousands of Rhode Islanders without a warrant; the Senate Judiciary committee followed in May.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 22, 2016
  • Criminal Justice

Juvenile Marijuana Use (H 7362, S 2544)

This year, the General Assembly approved legislation, submitted on behalf of the Attorney General, undermining a previous effort to decriminalize marijuana effort by placing juveniles caught with marijuana back in front of a Family Court judge instead of the Traffic Tribunal.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
  • Criminal Justice

Human Trafficking (H 7527, S 2413 as amended)

Language in legislation to combat human trafficking carried serious potential for unintended consequences, including the further victimization of individuals caught up in trafficking.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
  • Criminal Justice

Unauthorized Computer Access (H 7406A, S 2584)

In February and March, the ACLU testified in opposition to broadly worded legislation that treated whistleblowers and overzealous spouses the same as malicious hackers, subjecting them to felony penalties for gaining "unauthorized access" to a computer.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
Placeholder image
Legislation
Apr 20, 2016
  • Due Process

Overdue Court Fees (H 7830, S 2505)

Individuals owing overdue court fees may soon find their names on a public list shaming scofflaws -- even if the fees are minor, decades old, or even inaccurate -- without prior notification.
Explore Legislation
1 2 3 4 5

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