Legislation

No person should face the end of their life worrying if their memory will be negated by someone's ignorance or, worse, hostility. Legislation introduced this session ensures that no person will be misgendered on their death certificate, either by accident or on purpose.

Tragedies during traffic stops nationwide prompted legislation last year integrating the responsibilities of a driver during a traffic stop into the current driver’s education curriculum; a number of organizations additionally argued that drivers should be taught their rights during such a stop.

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.

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.

In June, the ACLU testified in the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of legislation which sought to expand that law by prohibiting shackling pregnant women in their third trimester while they were being transported to or from a court proceeding.

The ACLU joined with the Public Defender and the RI Coalition for the Homeless to support legislation requiring municipal courts to provide free attorneys to indigent defendants charged with ordinance violations that could result in imprisonment.

Legislation sought to address the gender pay gap in Rhode Island by making it easier for individuals facing wage differentials to file a civil action against their employer, during which it would be up to the employer to demonstrate that the wage gap was on the basis of something other than sex.

The RI General Assembly approved a dangerous resolution calling for a national constitutional convention.

Important legislation ensuring children in DCYF care are free from discrimination is headed to the Governor’s desk.