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Alert: Art Builds and Bills

Author

White Rose RI
March 31, 2025

"Alert" in white font on a black background. On the left, a red and white siren, and on the right, a red and white alarm clock.

We have two art builds and some bills in this alert!

PopUp Rhody Sign Making Party for 4/5

  • When: Wednesday, April 2, 6:00pm-8:00pm

  • Where: Wild Colonial, 250 South Water Street, Providence, RI 02903

  • This is an art build event, to make signs for the “Hands Off” National Day of Protest on April 5.

  • If you can’t make the protest but want to make a sign, they’ll pass it along to someone at the protest without a sign.

  • An RSVP link is listed on the event page, but we don’t recommend that, for op sec reasons.

  • PopUp Rhody Sign Making Party Page

The Womxn Project Sign Making Party

  • When: Friday, April 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm

  • Where: Creative Reuse Center, 991 Waterman Ave, East Providence, RI 02903

  • This is an art build event, to make signs for the “Hands Off” National Day of Protest on April 5.

  • A registration link is listed on the event page, but we don’t recommend that, for op sec reasons.

  • Womxn Project Sign Making Party Facebook Page

Bill Tracker

Reminders for Legislative Advocacy

  • Be aware that written testimony submitted to any committee is considered public and will be posted to and accessible on the General Assembly website.

  • All times and locations given below are accurate as of the writing of this newsletter, but the RI Legislature is prone to changing time and locations of hearings with little notice. If you want to give in-person testimony for a bill, go to this Bill Lookup Page to double check the bill status and meeting information before you go. Put the bill number (no H, no S) in the Bills input field and hit Enter for the most up to date information.

  • Rise of the House or the Senate is when the full House or Senate finishes meeting together and breaks into separate committee meetings.

  • For in-person testimony, when you arrive and/or during the meeting, you will receive instructions on when and how you can give testimony. Don’t be afraid to poke someone who looks like they know what they’re doing and ask.

Criminal Justice Reform Bills

Bill Number: H5180 and H5131

Summary: 

  • H5180 requires one elector of the parole board to be a person directly impacted by the criminal justice system who has completed the probation/parole process three or more years prior to selection with a professional background in certain enumerated areas.

  • H5131 creates a 9 member commission to study and make recommendations on the delivery of healthcare services at RIDOC (The Rhode Island Department of Corrections), and who reports back to the House no later than January 5, 2026, and whose life would expire on March 5, 2026. This would be a step toward improving the healthcare and mental health care received by those sentenced and/or awaiting trial in RIDOC facilities.

Our Position: FOR / IN SUPPORT OF

Current Status: Scheduled for hearing / consideration on April 3, 2025

How to Submit Written Testimony:

  • Due: Thursday, April 3, 3:00pm

  • Write a short statement for each bill, 1-3 paragraphs, explaining why you support the bill.

    • Include your name, the bill number (H5180 and H5131), and your viewpoint (FOR).

  • Email written testimony to:

How to Give In-Person Testimony:

  • Attend one of the committee meetings:

    • The House Committee on Judiciary, Thursday, April 3, at the Rise of the House (usually around 4:00pm) in the House Lounge - State Lounge at the State House

  • Be prepared to share a brief statement about why you support each bill. Include your name, the bill number (H5180 and H5131) , and your viewpoint (FOR).