Advocates: RI’s new homeless bill of rights a national model for preventing discrimination, Associated Press, June 27, 2012, Washington Post: “While cities across the nation enact laws against panhandling and outdoor sleeping, Rhode Island is being held up as a national model for protecting homeless individuals from discrimination. Advocates say the state’s new homeless bill of rights goes further than any other law in the nation to prevent discrimination against people who lack housing. The new law prohibits governments, police, healthcare workers, landlords or employers from treating homeless people unfairly because of their housing status…”
Tag: Rhode Island
Homeless Rights Bill – Rhode Island
Rhode Island passes bill to guarantee rights of homeless people, By Jason McLure, June 13, 2012, Chicago Tribune: “Rhode Island’s governor is expected to sign into law the first “Homeless Bill of Rights” in the United States as early as next week, formally banning discrimination against homeless people and affirming their equal access to jobs, housing and services. The legislation, which won final approval by the state Senate on Wednesday, bucks a national trend among municipalities toward outlawing behaviors associated with homelessness such as eating, sleeping and panhandling in public spaces. Among other steps, the Rhode Island law would guarantee homeless people the right to use public sidewalks, parks and transportation as well as public buildings . . .”
Rhode Island Kids Count Report
R.I.’s child population declines, poverty rises, By Richard Asinof, April 2, 2012, Providence Business News: “The number of children in Rhode Island decreased by 10 percent between 2000 and 2010 from 247,822 to 223,956, respectively, according to the 18th annual Factbook released Monday by Rhode Island Kids Count. Rhode Island was one of only three states to lose at least 10 percent of its child population during this time period. Only the communities of Central Falls, North Smithfield and West Greenwich recorded slight increases, according to the 2012 Factbook. The 171-page report, which charts improvements and decline in the well-being of children and youth in each of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns, provides a comprehensive compilation of the latest available statistics on 67 different aspects of children’s lives, from birth through adolescence…”