Protections for Individuals with Disabilities (H 6122, S 887)

Rhode Island currently has very strong anti-discrimination laws that provide legal protection to individuals with disabilities. We supported legislation that proactively ensures strong statutory protections remain in place in Rhode Island for individuals with disabilities if an important federal law on the subject -- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 -- is struck down by the federal courts. We argued, however, the language be amended to make sure the protections stay strong, and that any weaker interpertations of the federal law are not accidentally incorporated into Rhode Island's legal protections.