News & Commentary

Oct 08, 2026

Rhode Island Child Advocate Asks Federal Court of Appeals to Uphold Ruling Protecting Transgender Youth’s Privacy

"Upholding this decision affirms that the privacy and dignity of children involved in the child welfare system—and of all children—must be protected. No child should have to choose between receiving vital medical care and protecting their most personal information."

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Jun 30, 2026

Court Vacates Unlawful Funding Criteria for Solutions to Homelessness in Case Brought by Broad Coalition

Trump-Vance Administration’s Unlawful Criteria Would Have Pushed an Estimated 170,000 Americans into Homelessness

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Jun 16, 2026

Supporting Free Speech, Four “Friend of the Court” Briefs Filed in Appeals Court in Support of Rhode Island Latino Arts

More than a dozen organizations have joined in “friend of the court” briefs in support of the ACLU and ACLU of Rhode Island’s legal challenge to a certification requirement that the National Endowment for the Arts imposed last year on grant applicants.

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May 20, 2026

After Appeals Court Denies Child Advocate’s Emergency Motion to Prevent the Release of Medical Records of Minors Receiving Care at RI Hospital, Safeguards Remain in Place to Protect the Data

"While we are disappointed in this result, this decision is not the end of our fight to protect Rhode Island children’s medical privacy."

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May 19, 2026

Emergency Motion Filed to Prevent the Release of Private Medical Records of Minors Receiving Medical Care at RI Hospital

Rhode Island’s Child Advocate filed an emergency motion this morning in the federal appeals court

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May 13, 2026

Judge Upholds Children’s Privacy Rights, Quashes Department of Justice Subpoena of R.I. Hospital Records

“DOJ’s request for intimate medical details from one of this country’s most vulnerable populations constitutes a drastic overreach of its investigative authority.”

Light blue background with white and pink images of a doctor and a trans pride flag.
May 04, 2026

Child Advocate Seeks to Block Federal Government Subpoena for Private Medical Records of Minors

Subpoena called an “unprecedented intrusion” into private medical information of children

Light blue background with white and pink images of a doctor and a trans pride flag.
Apr 01, 2026

Appeals Court Rejects Latest Trump-Vance Administration Attack on Funding for Solutions to Homelessness

Count Continues to Block Unlawful Grant Restrictions that Would Push Nearly 200,000 Americans into Homelessness

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Mar 30, 2026

Companies are using data about where we go and what we do online to infer our health care decisions. Here’s why you should take action. 

Nobody should be afraid of seeking essential health care because they’re afraid of being tracked or surveilled.

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