Legislative Updates
2019
Joint Resolution to submit to the voters an amendment to the RI Constitution -- Right To An Adequate Education. Joint resolution changes the language in the constitution that discusses public library service for Rhode Islanders. Companion bill: SR 42
- Representative Mary Duffy Messier
- Representative Anastasia Williams
- Representative Edith H. Ajello
- Representative Michael Morin
- Representative William W.O'Brien
- 01-31-2019
Introduced, referred to House H.E.W.
- 02-08-2019
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/13/2019)
- 02-12-2019
Hearing postponed at sponsor's request
- 04-24-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Amends definition of "public body" in Open Meetings Act to include the board of directors of any library which has funded at least twenty-five percent (25%) of its operational budget in the prior budget year with public funds.
- Representative Anastasia Williams
- Representative Edith H. Ajello
- Representative Joseph Almeida
- 02-08-2019
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary
- 03-13-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- 06-18-2019
Committee recommends passage
- 06-20-2019
House read and passed
- 06-26-2019
Senate passed in concurrence
- 07-03-2019
Transmitted to Governor
- 07-08-2019
Signed by Governor
Requires all state and municipal employees to receive annual training in cultural competency, provided by state office of diversity, equity and opportunity (ODEO).
- Representative Evan P. Shanley
- Representative Julie A. Casimiro
- Representative Mario Mendez
- Representative Jean P. Barros
- Representative Christopher R. Blazejewski
- 02-14-2019
Introduced, referred to House Health, Education & Welfare
- 03-13-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Requires public bodies to make audio and video recordings of all open meetings and submit to the office of the secretary of state within 48 hours. (Libraries that receive 25% or more of their funding from public funds - state, municipal - are public bodies.)
- Representative Blake A. Filippi
- Representative John Lyle, Jr.
- Representative Sherry Roberts
- Representative George A Nardone
- Representative David J. Place
- 02-14-2019
Introduced, referred to House Corporations
- 03-13-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Prohibits manufacture of weapons undetectable by metal detectors, including 3D printed guns. Companion bill to S 84
- Representative Patricia A. Serpa
- Representative Mia A. Ackerman
- 02-28-2019
Introduced, refered to House Judiciary
- 03-13-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Requires Internet service providers to follow Internet service neutrality requirements.
- Senator Louis P. DiPalma
- Senator William Conley Jr.
- Senator Dawn Euer
- Senator Gayle Goldin
- Senator Thomas J. Paolino
- 01-16-2019
Introduced, referred to Senate Commerce
- 04-02-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- 04-30-2019
Senate read and passed
- 05-01-2019
Referred to House Corporations
Companion bill to H 5252
- Senator Roger A. Picard
- Senator Ana B. Quezada
- Senator Harold Metts
- Senator Donna Nesselbush
- Senator Sandra Cano
- 01-16-2019
Introduced, referred to Senate Education
- 05-01-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Prohibits manufacture of weapons undetectable by metal detectors, including 3D printed guns.
- Senator Cynthia Armour Coyne
- Senator Erin Lynch Prata
- Senator Joshua Miller
- Senator William Conley Jr.
- Senator James Seveney
- 01-16-2019
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
- 04-02-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- 05-24-2019
Proposed Substitute
- 05-28-2019
Committee recommends passage of Sub A
- 06-05-2019
Senate passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
- 06-06-2019
Referred to House Judiciary
Requires school libraries to be open one hour before, during, and one hour after school.
- Senator Joshua Miller
- Senator V. Susan Sosnowski
- Senator James Sheehan
- Senator Bridget G. Valverde
- Senator Gayle Goldin
- 01-24-2019
Introduced, referred to Senate Education
- 04-03-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Companion bill to H 5355
- Senator Maryellen Goodwin
- 02-13-2019
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
- 05-01-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- 06-04-2019
Committee recommends passage
- 06-11-2019
Senate read and passed
- 06-12-2019
Referred to House Judiciary
- 06-24-2019
Placed on House Calendar
- 06-24-2019
Committee recommends passage in concurrence
- 06-27-2019
House passed in concurrence
- 07-03-2019
Transmitted to Governor
- 07-08-2019
Signed by Governor
Requires school library media programs outlined in the Rhode Island Basic Education Plan (BEP) to be staffed by a librarian with degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program; adds American Association for School Librarians national standards as standards to be adopted for school libraries.
- Senator Hanna M. Gallo
- Senator William Conley Jr.
- Senator Adam J. Satchell
- Senator James Sheehan
- Senator Bridget G. Valverde
- 06-13-2019
Introduced, refered to Senate Education
- 06-19-2019
Committee recommended measure be held for further study