Legislation

In yet another response to the Woodmansee case, the General Assembly considered, but ultimately took no action on, legislation to funnel prisoners deemed unable to reenter society into mental health facilities after the completion of their prison terms.

As in past years, the Affiliate testified against efforts to expand the scope of the state’s current sex offender registration and notification laws.

The Affiliate testified in opposition to mandatory ignition interlock requirements for all individuals convicted of driving under the influence of liquor or drugs.

In an effort to address a major human rights and civil liberties concern, legislation on behalf of the Affiliate, RI State Nurses Association and RI NOW was introduced to prohibit shackling or otherwise restraining incarcerated pregnant women during labor, delivery and post-recovery.

More than thirty House members are co-sponsoring a bill that, following in the footsteps of Massachusetts, would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

House and Senate committees heard testimony on dangerous legislation requiring the collection of DNA samples from any person arrested for a felony.

Ever since 9/11, the State Police have been fighting to enact a troubling proposal to give law enforcement broad authority to secretly obtain, without a warrant, subscriber information from Internet service providers.

The Affiliate testified in opposition to bills that would eliminate judicial discretion and require installation of an ignition interlock on the vehicle owned by DUI offenders.

The ACLU introduced legislation this year that will prohibit police departments from instituting quotas, or a set number of tickets, arrests and investigatory stops an officer must meet within a certain timeframe.