Legislation

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.

We supported this proposed constitutional amendment which would have removed the state Constitution’s onerous requirement that bars individuals from voting in an election, except for President, unless they have registered to vote at least 30 days in advance.

We supported a number of pieces of legislation have been introduced with the intention of barring private prisons from operating in the state of RI entirely and limiting the ability for carceral facilities in RI to cooperate with ICE.

Legislation supported by the ACLU would have allowed for certain terminally ill patients to make knowing and competent decisions about death and peacefully determine the end of their lives with dignity, autonomy, and privacy.

As an important piece of criminal justice reform legislation, this bill would have slightly redefined in two ways the definitions of “felony” and “misdemeanor” in Rhode Island law.

We joined a number of organizations in supporting legislation which would have limite the ability for carceral facilities in RI to utilize solitary confinement, noting that best practices point towards eliminating solitary confinement as a way to keep prisons safer, healthier, and reduce recidivism.

By granting legal immunity to individuals engaged in commercial sexual activity who report a crime that they are either a victim of or witness to, this legislation would have created more comprehensive occupational safety for sex workers.

While wealthier individuals who can post bail are permitted to go home while awaiting their hearings, those without immediate cash flow are forced to stay in jail until their case is heard, creating a wealth-based incarceration system.

Following the widespread and surreptitious installation across the state of deceptively named “automated license plate reader” cameras that actually have incredibly invasive technological capabilities, we strongly supported legislation which would have limited the use of these cameras.