Legislation

The ACLU testified on two bills which were clearly aimed at panhandling, although they would also have a much broader impact on the exercise of First Amendment rights generally.

The ACLU of RI submitted written testimony in March to the House Labor committee in opposition to a bill making E-Verify use mandatory by Rhode Island employers, and in favor of a bill keeping the E-Verify program voluntary.

During the first week of March, the House Corporations Committee heard testimony regarding legislation to repeal the provisions of the general laws that currently prohibit health insurance coverage for induced abortions in policies covering state and municipal employees.

Currently, RI General Laws state that health coverage should include fertility coverage for married individuals. This year, legislation proposed would ensure that such coverage is extended to individuals who needed it no matter what their marital status is.

The ACLU testified at the House Judiciary Committee in support of this legislation which aims to regulate and limit the use of cell-site simulators, or “stingrays.”

This legislation would sanction the installation of a highway surveillance system of automated license plate readers (ALPRs).

This legislation would protect individuals from being prosecuted when they seek medical assistance for someone experiencing an alcohol overdose and alcohol use by minors.

This legislation aimed to make amendments to last year's Location Tracking bill which requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before requesting cell phone location information, except in emergencies dealing with the threat of death or serious physical injury.