Legislation

Nationwide, women have historically been charged more for the same health insurance as men, solely because of their gender. This practice, known as gender rating, became illegal for certain health care plans under federal law, but gaps still exist in RI law that allow the practice to continue.

Rhode Island’s veterans have recently begun reporting facing such discrimination, and current law leaves them with no recourse. The legislation prohibits such discrimination against any service member in the Armed Forces or veteran with an honorable or general administrative discharge.

Existing federal prohibitions against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace have proven ineffective in prevention women from facing serious workplace penalties because of their pregnancy or breastfeeding status.

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.