This Week at the General Assembly: Civil Unions, Cyberbullying, Sexting, John Gordon's Pardon

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 the General Assembly website.

Civil union bill transmitted to governor
The Assembly approved and transmitted to the governor legislation sponsored by Rep. Peter J. Petrarca (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Johnston, Smithfield) allowing civil unions for same-sex couples in the state. The bill (2011-H 6103Aaa) grants legal rights to same-sex partners without the historical and religious meaning associated with the word “marriage.” View the complete news release here.

‘Safe Schools Act’ passes, calls for statewide policy on cyberbullying
The Assembly approved legislation (2011-S 0732Aaa, 2011-H 5941Aaa) directing the Department of Education to establish a model, statewide policy on cyberbullying prevention in the schools. The policy is expected to include clear procedures for students, staff, parents and others on reporting cyberbullying and bullying, and a potential range of disciplinary actions for violators. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) and Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Newport). The news release may be viewed here.

Bills pass to address Internet child porn, ‘sexting’ by minors
As part of an effort to fight Internet child pornography and other kinds of transmissions of sexually explicit materials, the state legislature has approved two pieces of legislation. One – 2011-H 5094aa by Rep. Peter Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport) and 2011-S 0733 by Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) – will prohibit ‘sexting’ by minors and set a lesser, status offense rather than exposing minors to the much more significant penalties of regular child porn laws. The other – 2011-H 5093A and 2011-S 0781A, by Representative Martin and Senator Lanzi – gives law enforcement agencies administrative subpoena power to obtain certain information from Internet service providers relative to child pornography investigations.

• ‘Internet’ news release.
• ‘Sexting’ news release.

Governor pardons John Gordon
Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee pardoned John Gordon, an Irish immigrant who is believed to have been wrongly arrested, convicted and executed in 1845 for the murder of a wealthy mill owner. Joining in a ceremony at the Old State House in Providence, the scene of the John Gordon trial, were sponsors of legislative resolutions (2011-H 5068, 2011-S 0371A) urging the governor to grant the pardon, Rep. Peter Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport) and Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick). John Gordon was the last individual executed in Rhode Island. Click here for the complete announcement.

2012 budget bill clears Assembly, signed by governor
With Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee’s signature, the Fiscal Year 2012 budget (2011-H 5894 Aaa) approved by the General Assembly is now law. The $7.7 billion plan is designed to address the state’s structural deficit and fully fund its new education spending formula without widespread expansion of sales taxes, closing the state’s initial deficit of approximately $300 million through cuts to some programs and state department consolidations, as well as a small surplus and higher-than-expected revenues from the previous year. Click here to see news release.

Assembly OKs bill to give adult adoptees access to unaltered birth certificates
The General Assembly approved legislation to allow adoptees born in Rhode Island to obtain non-certified copies of their original birth certificates, which would include their biological parents’ names, when they reach age 25, a long sought-after goal for many adopted Rhode Islanders. The legislation (2011-S 0478 Aaa, 2011-H 5453 B) is sponsored by Sen. Rhoda E. Perry (D-Dist. 3, Providence) and Rep. John M. Carnevale (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston). Click here to see news release.

Legislators make elections changes
The General Assembly approved a measure (2011-H 5680 A, 2011-S 0400 Aaa) sponsored by Rep. Jon D. Brien (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket) and Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) to require voters to show identification at polls; legislation (2011-H 5661Aaa, 2011-S 0341Aaa) sponsored by House Majority Whip J. Patrick O’Neill (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) and Senate Minority Whip David E. Bates (R-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol)  to close polling places at 8 p.m. statewide; a bill (2011-H 5653Aaa, 2011-S 0399Aaa) sponsored by Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D-Dist. 31, Warwick) and Rep. Donald J. Lally (D-Dist. 33, Narragansett, South Kingstown, North Kingstown) to bring Rhode Island’s presidential primary elections laws into compliance with federal law and move the primary from early March to late April; and legislation (2011-H 5161 A, 2011-S 0233) introduced by Rep. William San Bento Jr. (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket, North Providence) and Senator Lynch and to allow all candidates for general office to be eligible to participate equally in the matching public funds program.

• Voter ID news release.
• Poll closing time news release.
• Primary news release.
• Matching funds news release.

Assembly passes, governor signs seatbelt primary offense legislation
Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed into law legislation approved by the General Assembly to make the failure to wear seatbelts by adults a primary offense in Rhode Island, punishable by a $75 fine. Until now, failure to wear seatbelts was a secondary offense and police could cite a violation only if a stop had been made for a primary offense. The new law, which makes RI eligible for more than $3.5 million in federal funds, will sunset on June 30, 2013. Sponsors of the bills (2011-S 0022A, 2011-H 5449Aaa) are Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield) and Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence). Click here to see news release.

Legislation approved to create Redevelopment Commission for I-195 land
The Assembly approved and sent to the governor legislation to establish an I-195 Redevelopment District Commission to be responsible for the development of land in Providence becoming available as a result of the relocation of I-195. Under revised legislation that was worked out with the governor, city officials and other stakeholders, the commission will adhere to Providence’s Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances and must promote smart, impactful and expedient development of the available parcels with special attention to life sciences companies. The legislation specifically prohibits location of a casino on the surplus properties. Sponsors of the bills (2011-S 0114B, 2011-H 5994A) are Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, Providence, North Providence) and Rep. John M. Carnevale (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston). Click here to see news release.

Governor signs Diaz, Metts bill banning sale of rolling papers to minors
Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) and Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) joined Gov. Lincoln Chafee at a signing ceremony for their legislation banning the sale of rolling papers and several forms of cigars to minors. The bill (2011-H 5212, 2011-S 0666) adds little cigars, flavored and unflavored cigars known as “blunts,” flavored and unflavored blunt wraps, cigarette rolling papers of any size, cigarillos and tiparillos to the section of law that currently prohibits those under 18 from purchasing cigarettes. Click here to see news release.