Legislation

Individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – particularly veterans – have found that marijuana use helps ease symptoms and allow for relief. Yet, in Rhode Island, medical marijuana is not a qualifying reason to obtain and use medical marijuana.

Going far beyond what is required under the federal Affordable Care Act, the Article mandates a number of health plans be made available on the health exchange that do not cover abortion services, allowing employers to choose the level of reproductive care their employees may obtain.

Under state law, municipalities can charge no more than $500 for violations of municipal ordinances that do not rise to the level of criminal offenses. Under legislation passed by the Senate in June that number could have quadrupled.

While an increasing amount of business is conducted online, becoming a registered voter or changing your registration in Rhode Island still has to be done in person or through the mail. Legislation sought to change that by allowing for electronic voter registration.

In May, the Senate approved legislation prohibiting police from searching juveniles and pedestrians without probable cause or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

The ACLU testified in support of legislation permitting the issuance of driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Individuals seeking housing should be concerned with paying the rent and being good neighbors; they should not have to be concerned about intrusive and unnecessary questions regarding their immigration or citizenship status.

The ACLU testified in May in opposition to legislation overhauling the state’s sex offender registration and community notification laws. The proposed legislation would replace the existing law with federal standards so costly that few other states have chosen to implement them.

The ACLU testified before the House Finance and Senate Education Committees in May, in opposition to legislation sending state money to parochial schools through a “school choice” program.