Last Week in the General Assembly

Legislation introduced to improve safety in R.I. schools

Three bills addressing school safety issues have been introduced in both chambers. Developed by the legislature and the governor’s office, the bills will, among other things, require schools to perform a safety assessment in conjunction with local police, fire and school safety teams; require annual review and certification of school safety and emergency response plans and set specific requirements for school fire drills and lockdown drills. Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) and Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) sponsored two of the bills (2013-S 800, 2013-H 5940 and 2013-S 0801, 2013-H 5941) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) and Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) introduced the other bill (2013-S 0014A, 2013-H 5152).

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Edwards, Miller hold news conference for first day of pot decriminalization

Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Portsmouth, Tiverton) and Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) – lead sponsors of last year’s marijuana decriminalization legislation – joined Protect Families First at a State House news conference on the first day the law went into effect. The lawmakers had an in-depth discussion of the new rules in place for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, which includes a $150 civil fine to replace the criminal penalties.

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House passes bill to allow voting by all in line when polls close

The House passed legislation (2013-H 5771) sponsored by Rep. Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence) to change the state elections law to guarantee that all voters who are standing in line to vote when polls close are allowed to cast their ballots. Under current law, if a line of potential voters stretches outside the building where polls are located, those who are outdoors at 8 p.m. could be turned away. Her bill would allow them to vote. Companion legislation (2013-S 626) is being sponsored in the Senate by Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, North Kingstown, Narragansett).

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More than 7,300 signatures in support of plastic bag ban presented as bill heard

Environment Rhode Island presented to lawmakers a petition signed by more than 7,300 people and a letter of support from more than 130 businesses urging the state to enact legislation (2013-H 5403, 2013-S 404) sponsored by Rep. Maria Cimini (D-Dist. 7, Providence) and Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence) to ban plastic checkout bags in Rhode Island. The bill, aimed at curbing pollution, would prohibit most plastic bags from being given to customers at stores’ checkouts, effective Jan. 1, 2014, in large stores and one year later for smaller stores, and contains exceptions for some types of bags. The petition was delivered to lawmakers on the same day the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the bill.

[The Bristol Town Council recently decided to put off a decision on a town ban on plastic bags.]

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Bill clears way for gender-specific school events

Schools would no longer need to be concerned that father-daughter or mother-son dances are contrary to the state’s gender discrimination laws as a result of legislation passed by the Senate. Sponsored by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), the bill (2013-S 0012Aaa) will amend state law to provide that activities for students of one sex are permissible if reasonably comparable activities are provided for students of the other sex.

Click here to see news release.