Legislation

In recent years, school districts statewide have begun handing out school-owned computers for at-home use by students. These devices carry virtually no privacy protections, allowing schools to spy on students at home.

With the constitutional protections of Roe v. Wade hanging in the balance in light of a divided U.S. Supreme Court, many organizations, including the ACLU, made a major push this year to ensure the protection of reproductive rights for Rhode Islanders

In early June, legislation that seeks to expand the denial of vehicle registration to individuals who may have outstanding unpaid interest or penalties on fines owed to a city or town was introduced.

This legislation sought to integrate into the current driver’s education curriculum the responsibilities of a driver during a traffic stop. We argued that in addition to learning about their responsibilities, drivers should be taught their rights during a traffic stop.

Earlier this year, legislation introduced mandates that an individual who is found guilty of hoarding animals will be ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, against their will, to determine if counseling or treatment should become an additional condition of the sentence.

This spring, the ACLU testified in support of important legislation which would recognize the importance of encouraging student journalism and guaranteeing to students certain basic rights to freedom of the press.

Legislation introduced will require that a minor have a parent or guardian present during questioning by law enforcement.

This legislation, opposed by the ACLU, would have allowed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to attest to a patient’s mental health condition and participate in certifying patients for mandated outpatient treatment, something that only doctors can do presently.

For years, the ACLU has been objecting to the procedures used by the Vehicle Value Commission in deciding the value of cars for tax purposes.