• 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
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Prison Medication Assisted Treatment Program (S 2612A)

We supported legislation which would have formally codified an ongoing program in our state Department of Corrections which provides medicated assisted treatment for individuals who are incarcerated.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +1 Issue

Criminal Record Checks for Medical Marijuana (S 2371)

We opposed legislation which would have inappropriately imposed a broad criminal record check requirement on individuals who seek to be engaged in the business-side of the medical marijuana industry, as well as on patients who may need this medicine to manage a health condition.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +2 Issues

Legalization of Recreational Marijuana (H 7593A, S 2430A, Budget Article 11)

Though we support recreational marijuana legalization, we raised a number of concerns about this bill and called for amendments to strengthen the language.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Pro Bono Animal Advocate (H 7678, S 2227)

We opposed legislation which would have allowed a court to appoint pro bono attorneys to act as animal advocates in animal cruelty and abuse cases.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Cruelty to Animals Penalties (H 7572)

We opposed legislation which would have increased the penalties for individuals convicted of unnecessary cruelty to an animal and would have placed a life prohibition on that individual owning or possessing an animal for life.
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Taxi Driver Assault Penalties (H 7508)

In a piece of legislation indicative of the way that the General Assembly often attempts to “carve out” new crimes out of offenses that already are enshrined in state statute, this legislation would have made simple assault, already a misdemeanor, a more serious felony if committed on a taxi driver.
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Cash Bail Reform (H 7353, H 7691 & S 2399)

We supported legislation which would have promoted the pretrial release of individuals without the requirement of monetary bail.
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Juvenile Interrogation (H 7188 & S 2370)

We strongly supported a bill which would have prohibited the questioning of a juvenile suspected of criminal activity without a parent or legal guardian present.
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
criminal justice
  • Criminal Justice

Exploitation of Elders (S 2228, H 7246)

We opposed legislation which lowers the age which would define an “elder” from 65 to 60 years old for the purposes of the criminal offense of “exploiting an elder."
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Prison Medication Assisted Treatment Program (S 2612A)

We supported legislation which would have formally codified an ongoing program in our state Department of Corrections which provides medicated assisted treatment for individuals who are incarcerated.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +1 Issue

Criminal Record Checks for Medical Marijuana (S 2371)

We opposed legislation which would have inappropriately imposed a broad criminal record check requirement on individuals who seek to be engaged in the business-side of the medical marijuana industry, as well as on patients who may need this medicine to manage a health condition.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Criminal Justice|
  • +2 Issues

Legalization of Recreational Marijuana (H 7593A, S 2430A, Budget Article 11)

Though we support recreational marijuana legalization, we raised a number of concerns about this bill and called for amendments to strengthen the language.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Pro Bono Animal Advocate (H 7678, S 2227)

We opposed legislation which would have allowed a court to appoint pro bono attorneys to act as animal advocates in animal cruelty and abuse cases.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Cruelty to Animals Penalties (H 7572)

We opposed legislation which would have increased the penalties for individuals convicted of unnecessary cruelty to an animal and would have placed a life prohibition on that individual owning or possessing an animal for life.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 21, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Taxi Driver Assault Penalties (H 7508)

In a piece of legislation indicative of the way that the General Assembly often attempts to “carve out” new crimes out of offenses that already are enshrined in state statute, this legislation would have made simple assault, already a misdemeanor, a more serious felony if committed on a taxi driver.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Cash Bail Reform (H 7353, H 7691 & S 2399)

We supported legislation which would have promoted the pretrial release of individuals without the requirement of monetary bail.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Juvenile Interrogation (H 7188 & S 2370)

We strongly supported a bill which would have prohibited the questioning of a juvenile suspected of criminal activity without a parent or legal guardian present.
Explore Legislation
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
criminal justice
Legislation
Mar 10, 2022
  • Criminal Justice

Exploitation of Elders (S 2228, H 7246)

We opposed legislation which lowers the age which would define an “elder” from 65 to 60 years old for the purposes of the criminal offense of “exploiting an elder."
Explore Legislation
1 2 3 4

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