Legislation

This legislation gives the police unilateral authority, without court review, to obtain Internet subscriber information on new crimes including “online impersonation,” a law that already raises serious First Amendment concerns.

The General Assembly once again considered a spate of anti-abortion legislation, including legislation prohibiting women who get an insurance plan tax credit from buying a plan that includes any abortion coverage beyond life, rape, and incest – with no exception for women’s health.

The ACLU testified that this legislation served only to further stigmatize homeless sex offenders who are already abiding by their responsibility to register, and that forcing shelter workers to continually report on sex offenders' whereabouts is an onerous and inappropriate burden.

In February, the ACLU testified before the House Corporations committee in support of legislation removing from the General Laws two provisions regarding health insurance coverage for abortion that were struck down long ago, following challenge by the ACLU.

In February, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in support of legislation laying out the acceptable use of body cameras and placing restrictions on the use and release of the collected data.

In February, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in opposition to legislation addressing the electronic dissemination of sexually explicit material, often referred to as “revenge porn.”

Currently, the state Board of Elections is virtually the only major state agency exempt from the Administrative Procedures Act, which requires state agencies to adopt rules and regulations through an open, public process.

Statewide, Internet filters used by school districts block considerably more information than is required by federal law, often without prior warning, derailing classroom lessons and hindering the ability of students to complete homework.

The ACLU testified in support of legislation to rectify the issue of prison gerrymandering and require all prisoners to be counted, for voting purposes only, at their last known address.