Legislation

The ACLU testified in support of legislation regulating the collection of cell phone location information by law enforcement. This legislation would have required law enforcement to obtain a warrant before requesting location information, except in emergency circumstances.

The ACLU testified in support of legislation to limit this the practice of civil asset forfeiture by requiring an individual to be convicted of an offense before their assets can be relinquished, and ensuring that co-owners of assets are not unfairly punished.

The U.S. Supreme Court banned states from imposing on juvenile offenders a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole, but states retain the discretion to impose the penalty on a case-by-case basis. Legislation sought to make this off-limits altogether for juvenile defendants in RI.

Possibly the worst result of the legislative session was the expiration of the state’s life-saving Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Act.

In April, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in support of legislation to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana use by adults.

While most state agencies are required by a state law known as the Administrative Procedures Act to adopt rules and regulations through a public process, the Board of Elections is inexplicably exempt from the law.

When it comes to drawing new voting districts, any individuals incarcerated at the ACI in Cranston on the day the Census worker comes through are recorded as living on Howard Avenue, including individuals awaiting or serving misdemeanor sentences during which they are still allowed to vote.

Rhode Island has grappled for a number of years with several election issues, including questions of when and how recounts can be conducted, how votes are counted, and even how the rules regarding elections are made.

The House and Senate approved legislation addressing the use of Internet filters on school computers.