2024 -- S 2431

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LC004218

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE, PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE -- SEXUAL ORIENTATION,

GENDER IDENTITY DISCRIMINATION

     Introduced By: Senators Bell, Murray, Mack, Pearson, Kallman, Bissaillon, Valverde,
Cano, Ujifusa, and Gu

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     RESOLVED, That a majority of all members elected to each house of the general

assembly voting therefor, the following amendment to the Constitution of the State be proposed

to the qualified electors of the State in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the

Constitution for their approval and that is take the place of Article I, section 2, which is hereby

amended to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

DECLARATION OF CERTAIN CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND

PRINCIPLES

     Section 2. Laws for good of whole — Burdens to be equally distributed — Due

process — Equal protection — Discrimination — No right to abortion granted.

     All free governments are instituted for the protection, safety, and happiness of the people.

All laws, therefore, should be made for the good of the whole; and the burdens of the state ought

to be fairly distributed among its citizens. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property

without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied equal protection of the laws. No

otherwise qualified person shall, solely by reason of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender

identity, or handicap be subject to discrimination by the state, its agents or any person or entity

doing business with the state. Nothing in this section shall be construed to grant or secure any

right relating to abortion or the funding thereof.

     RESOLVED, That the said proposition of amendment shall be submitted to the electors

for their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. The voting places in the

several cities and towns shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for

general officers of the state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause the said proposition of amendment to

be published as a part of this resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the said

meetings of the said electors; and said proposition shall be inserted in the warrants or notices to

be issued previous to said meetings of the electors for the purpose of warning the town, ward, or

district meetings, and said proposition shall be read by the town, city, ward, or district meetings to

be held as aforesaid; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the town, city, ward, and district meetings to be held aforesaid shall

be warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward, and

district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town,

city, ward, and district meetings for the election of general officers of the state.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE, PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE -- SEXUAL ORIENTATION,

GENDER IDENTITY DISCRIMINATION

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     This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the State Constitution, Article I, section

2, that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

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LC004218

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