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Writer's pictureSamantha Weiser

This Week in the General Assembly: May 17th-21st

Updated: May 19, 2021


Some great bills this week, starting off with prison reform on Monday! These are definitely not all the bills being heard this week, rather a sampling of bills you, the members of the Women’s Caucus, may be interested in. Bill text is linked next of every brief bill description, and links to sign up to testify for or against a bill are included below as well!

 

MONDAY, MAY 17th:


Senate Committee on Judiciary and Senate Committee on Finance joint hearing:

Requests for verbal testimony must be submitted by 4:00pm on May 16th. Written testimony may be submitted by email to jpbaxter@rilegislature.gov by 2:00 on the 17th.

  • S248: prohibits financial institutions from investing in prisons - support

  • S399: Prohibits the operation of private prisons and prohibits the housing of Rhode Island prisoners in other states as well as hold out-of-state prisoners in Rhode Island facilities (effectively closing the Wyatt) - support

  • S400: Prohibits government contracts with private prisons or ICE - support

  • S539: protects Black and traditional hairstyles from discrimination - support


TUESDAY, MAY 18th:


House Committee on Finance:

Note, this committee meeting is a continuation of the House Finance meeting from last week. They will hear continued testimony on bills H5628, H5715, H5787, H5809, and H6046, which includes Medicare For All and the Equality in Abortion Coverage Care Act. Email HouseFinance@rilegislature.gov with any questions.


House Committee on Judiciary:

Requests for verbal testimony must be submitted by 4:00pm on May 17th. Written testimony may be submitted by email to HouseJudiciary@rilegislature.gov by 2:00 on the 18th.

  • H6155: eliminates the martial sexual assault exemptions when a victim is disabled, incapacitated, or helpless - support


WEDNESDAY, MAY 19th:


House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing:

Requests for verbal testimony must be submitted by 4:00pm on May 18th. Written testimony may be submitted by email to HouseMunicipalGovernmentandHousing@rilegislature.gov by 2:00 on the 19th.

  • S706: exempts LaSalle Academy, a private Catholic school, from taxes - oppose


Senate Committee on Education

Requests for verbal testimony must be submitted by 4:00pm on May 18th. Written testimony may be submitted by email to slegislation@rilegislature.gov by 2:00 on the 19th.

  • S86: provides that menstrual products must be provided in all public schools - support

  • S282: creates a student’s bill or rights prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, gender, economic status or mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disabilities - support


THURSDAY, MAY 20th:


Senate Committee on Commerce:

Requests for verbal testimony must be submitted by 4:00pm on May 19th. Written testimony may be submitted by email to slegislation@rilegislature.gov by 2:00 on the 20th.

  • S453: bans the abusive practice known as “payday lending” - support


Senate Committee on Judiciary:

Requests for verbal testimony must be submitted by 4:00pm on May 19th. Written testimony may be submitted by email to jpbaxter@rilegislature.gov by 2:00 on the 20th.

  • S741: requires contractors to submit affirmative action and equal opportunity employment plans before the award of a contract - support







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