Legislation

In April, despite ACLU testimony in opposition, the Senate passed legislation requiring that individuals convicted of first or second degree murder serve at least fifty percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole; the House followed in May.

The ACLU testified before the House Labor committee in February in opposition to legislation requiring random drug testing of employees driving state-owned vehicles.

In March, the ACLU testified before the Senate Judiciary committee in opposition to legislation prohibiting virtually all synthetic cannabinoids and establishing a process to make more synthetic cannabinoids illegal without any legislative process.

In February, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in opposition to legislation making the use of a computer, phone, or similar device to make threats against a school or daycare facility a felony.

In February, the ACLU testified before the House and Senate Judiciary committees in opposition to legislation creating a new crime of obstructing traffic or obstructing a freeway.

As part of a package of computer crimes legislation, the General Assembly considered legislation overhauling the state’s prohibition on cyberstalking and cyberharrassment.

The ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in February in opposition to legislation dealing with unauthorized computer access.

The ACLU provided testimony to the House Judiciary committee in February against legislation criminalizing the transmission of HIV in certain circumstances.

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.