During the 2012 legislative session, RI NOW lobbied on a host of issues affecting women in Rhode Island. From defending reproductive rights, helping low income women get out of poverty, advocating for marriage equality, and much more, RI NOW was there to ensure that the voices of women were heard loud and clear. Below is a summary of where we landed by the end of the session. 

Reproductive Rights: RI NOW and our allies worked tirelessly to ensure that the most harmful assaults on women's rights would not come to fruition this session. And, they didn't. As part of the larger Choice community led by Planned Parenthood and Ocean State Action, we successfully fought off efforts to establish fetal personhood, mandate ultrasounds, and in other ways restrict a woman's right to choose. At the same time, we were disappointed that the effort to expand family planning services to low income women did not come to pass. And, while our efforts to end the practice of gender discrimination in health insurance were unsuccessful, we are pleased that the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act which ends this practice in 2014.

Poverty/Homelessness: The rate of poverty and homelessness among women has increased exponentially in recent years. That's why RI NOW's advocacy efforts included, among other legislative initiatives, the Homeless Bill of Rights ensuring that people will not be discriminated against because of their housing status. (Rhode Island made history by being the first in the nation to pass such legislation.) In addition, with two thirds of all minimum wage jobs held by women, RI NOW advocated in support of increasing Rhode Island's minimum wage, from $7.40 to $7.75 per hour. RI NOW also urged the General Assembly to make some important changes to the RI Works program (the state's welfare program), but, unfortunately, these efforts will need to continue into 2013.

Marriage Equality/LGBT Civil Rights: The 2012 legislative session was a disappointing one in that marriage equality didn't gain any traction. However, we were pleased that Governor Chafee issued an executive order that makes clear that Rhode Island will recognize out-of-state same-gender marriages. And, we are delighted to learn that Speaker Fox has committed to calling for a vote for marriage equality in 2013. Thank you to our coalition partner Marriage Equality Rhode Island for their continued efforts to right this wrong in our state.

Violence Against Women: RI NOW is very pleased to have been part of a successful advocacy effort led by the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence that resulted in the passage of the strangulation bill, which makes strangling another person a felony assault, and, when committed by a family or household member against another, a domestic violence crime. This new law will greatly help to stop the escalation of violence that can lead to murder.

Interested in getting involved in RI NOW's future legislative efforts? Contact RI NOW Legislative Chair Robin Dionne or RI NOW President Carolyn Mark.

 

 

 

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