The bill amends Section 42-87-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-87, which pertains to the civil rights of people with disabilities. It introduces new legal language that explicitly prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities by any person or entity conducting business in the state. The bill ensures that these individuals cannot be excluded from participation in or denied benefits from any state-regulated program, activity, or service. Additionally, it includes provisions that if any part of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits disability discrimination in federally funded programs, is repealed or invalidated, Rhode Island law will continue to enforce the protections that were in place immediately prior to such changes.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes that the provisions should be interpreted broadly to maintain the protections for individuals with disabilities under both state and federal law. This ensures that even if federal protections are diminished, the state law will uphold similar standards to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
6122: 42-87-2