Committee hears wide-ranging debate on Rhode Island Civil Rights Enforcement Act; bill held for further study

The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee on March 27 heard extended testimony on Senate Bill 538, the Rhode Island Civil Rights Enforcement Act, which would create a state statutory cause of action to enforce rights guaranteed in the Rhode Island Constitution. After more than two hours of testimony from attorneys, labor and civil-rights advocates, municipal representatives and trade associations, the committee voted to hold the bill for further study.

Proponents said the measure would give Rhode Islanders a remedy when state constitutional rights are violated. "If the right is to mean anything, this body has to act and enact an enforcement statute," said Richard Sinappi, an attorney who said he has practiced in Rhode Island for more than 40 years and has worked with the ACLU. Sinappi told the committee that federal statutory relief under 42 U.S.C. §1983 does not fully protect state-created rights and that a state enforcement statute would…