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This Week at the General Assembly

 

STATE HOUSE — Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease

 

 

§  House passes bill that would compensate the wrongly imprisoned
The House of Representatives passed legislation (2021-H 5470A) introduced by Rep. Patricia Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) that would give compensation to innocent people who have spent time behind bars but were later released when new evidence shows they were not guilty. The measure now moves to the Senate where similar legislation (2021-S 0672) has been introduced by Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence).
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate votes to prohibit ‘source of income’ housing discrimination
The Senate approved legislation  (2021-S 0561) sponsored by Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence) to prohibit discrimination against tenants because of the source of their income. The bill is primarily aimed at preventing landlords from refusing to rent to Rhode Islanders who receive Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers. The bill now heads to the House, which on March 2 approved companion legislation (2021-H 5257aa) sponsored by Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence).
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate OKs legislation that protects families with parents that have disabilities

The Senate has passed legislation (2021-S 0056) introduced by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) that precludes the disability of a parent from serving as a basis for denial or restriction in matters involving a child's welfare, foster care, family law, guardianship and adoption. Rep. Terri Cortvriend (Dist. 72, Portsmouth Middletown) has introduced the companion legislation (2021-H 5394) in the House of Representatives.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate passes bill excluding chronic intractable pain from medication guidelines

The Senate has passed legislation (2021-S 0384A) introduced by Sen. Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) that would exclude chronic intractable pain from the definition of “acute pain management” for the purposes of prescribing opioid medication. The legislation acknowledges that every patient and their needs is different, especially those suffering from chronic pain.  The measure now moves to the House, which passed similar legislation (2021-H 5247) introduced by Rep. Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) on March 9.

Click here to see news release

 

§  Senate OKs bill that protects children from being left alone in vehicles

The Senate has passed a bill (2021-S 0128) introduced by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis’ (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich) that would protect minors left unattended in a motor vehicle. The legislation repeals the requirement that law enforcement issue only verbal warnings of the risks to persons leaving a child under the age of seven unattended in a motor vehicle. Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) has introduced the companion bill (2021-H 5184) in the House of Representatives.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate passes bill requiring cultural competency training for state workers

The Senate approved legislation (2021-S 0428) introduced by Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) that would require the Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity (ODEO) to provide all state and municipal employees annual training in cultural competency. Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls) has introduced the companion legislation (2021-H 5752) in the House of Representatives.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Rep. Batista, Sen. Acosta introduce police reform legislation
Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) and Rep. José F. Batista (D-Dist. 12, Providence) have introduced the Rishod K. Gore Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (2021-S 0597, 2021-H 5993) to institute critical reforms including a statewide mandate for police body cameras, a requirement that police intervene in and report severe misconduct by fellow officers, and personal liability for police officers who engage in willful misconduct.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Sen. Picard bill would have governor, lieutenant governor run as a ticket
With Rhode Island in the midst of transitions in the governor’s and lieutenant governor’s offices, Sen. Roger A. Picard (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland) has once again introduced legislation (2021-S 0274) to ask voters whether they wish to amend the state constitution to elect the governor and lieutenant governor together as one ticket. The bill (2021-H 5742) has been introduced in the House by Rep. Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland).
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Rep. Handy, Sen. Murray legislation would raise RI Works assistance
Backed by a coalition of community, faith and antipoverty advocates, Sen. Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston) have introduced legislation (2021-S 0226, 2021-H 5683) to provide the first rate increase in 30 years, as well as other benefit improvements, for the Rhode Island Works Program, the state’s cash assistance and work-readiness program for low-income children and their families.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  McNamara bill would make school social services Medicaid eligible
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation (2021-H 5067) that would make services provided by school social workers and certified school psychologists eligible for federal Medicaid reimbursement.
Click here to see news release.

 

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For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.

 

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The abortion issue was front and center Wednesday. First, the U.S. Supreme Court heard an abortion case for the first time since it overturned Roe v. Wade. The case is over whether Idaho's near-total abortion ban conflicts with a federal law requiring hospitals to provide patients emergency care. Arizona's House of Representatives also voted to repeal a Civil War-era abortion law that bans nearly all abortions, and the bill now heads to the state Senate.       Former President Trump's claim that he can't face prosecution for anything done while in the Oval Office if he's not first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate goes before the Supreme Court on Thursday. Trump's attorneys will try to convince the Court that Trump shouldn't face charges for alleged election interference.        President Biden's campaign will continue to use TikTok despite the recent bill that could lead to its ban. On Wednesday, the President signed a foreign aid package that also laid the groundwork to ban TikTok in the U.S. The same day, a Biden campaign official told reporters that TikTok is still "one of many places we're making sure our content is being seen by voters."       A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President Harris is being hospitalized after showing what is being described as "distressing behavior" Monday morning. The incident took place at Joint Base Andrews, with Harris not present at the time. According to CBS News, the agent was speaking incoherently, eventually physically provoking another officer.        The U.S. Department of Agriculture says any dairy cows transported across state lines must be tested for bird flu. In March, an outbreak of the bird flu was found in herds of dairy cows for the first time and just this week fragments of the virus were found in pasteurized milk.       The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to New York. For the first time since 2021, the show will be back in New York and this time it will take place on Long Island at the UBS Arena in Elmont.        

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