This Week In The General Assembly

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly for the week ending June 3, 2011. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/

Red Sox specialty license plates to be available

Legislation passed by the General Assembly has been signed into law by the governor, offering Rhode Island motorists license plates that bear the official Boston Red Sox insignia. The bills (2011-H 5102, 2011-S 0485) provide for a $40 additional fee for the plates, with $20 of that donated to the Red Sox Foundation to support Rhode Island-based charitable organizations. Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) and Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) sponsored the bills in their respective chambers.

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House OKs bill to prohibit ‘sexting’ by minors

The House has approved legislation (2011-H 5094aa) to establish a lesser offense (a status offense) for minors who “sext,” or transmit sexually explicit photos and videos electronically. Sponsored by Rep. Peter Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport), the bill is intended to protect minors from being prosecuted under the state child pornography laws and face a possible five-year prison term. A similar Senate bill (2011-S 0733) was introduced by Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston).

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Senate Judiciary Committee hears civil unions bill

The Senate Committee on Judiciary heard testimony on legislation sponsored by Rep. Peter J. Petrarca (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Smithfield, Johnston) that would allow civil unions in Rhode Island. The bill (2011-H6103 Aaa) would grant same-sex couples all of the rights afforded to married couples in the state.

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Senate OKs Goodwin bill expanding domestic violence law

The Senate approved legislation (2011-S 0334) sponsored by Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) that expands the state’s current domestic violence statute to include “cyberstalking and cyberharassment.” Although cyberstalking is a crime in Rhode Island, it is not an action punishable under the state’s domestic violence statute. The House recently passed its version of the legislation (2011-H 5264), sponsored by Rep. Elaine A. Coderre (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket).

Click here to see news release.