Signed by Governor Dan McKee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits mandatory attendance at workplace meetings regarding an employer's opinions on political or religious matters in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Specifies that an employer or the employer's agent, representative or designee shall not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize or threaten to discharge, discipline or otherwise penalize or take any adverse employment action against an employee because of the employee's refusal to (Sec. 1):

• Attend an employer-sponsored meeting with the employer or its agent, representative or designee, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion concerning religious or political matters; or

• Listen to speech or view communications, including electronic communications, from the employer or its agent, representative or designee, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion concerning religious or political matters.

• Specifies that nothing in this section shall prohibit (Sec. 1):

• An employer or its agent, representative, or designee from communicating to their employees any information that the employer is required by law to communicate, but only to the extent of such legal requirement;

• An employer or its agent, representative, or designee from communicating to its employees any information that is necessary for such employees to perform their job duties;

• An institution of higher education, or any agent, representative or designee of such institution, from meeting with or participating in any communications with its employees that are part of coursework, any symposia, or an academic program at such institution; or

• Casual conversations between employees or between an employee and an agent, representative, or designee of an employer, provided that participation in such discussions is not required.

• Specifies that in a civil action to enforce this section, the court may award a prevailing employee all appropriate relief, including injunctive relief, reinstatement to the employee's former position or an equivalent position, back pay and reestablishment of any employee benefits, including seniority, to which the employee would otherwise have been eligible if the violation had not occurred, and damages. The court shall also award a prevailing employee reasonable attorneys' fees and costs (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits mandatory attendance at workplace meetings regarding an employer's opinions on political or religious matters in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Specifies that an employer or the employer's agent, representative or designee shall not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize or threaten to discharge, discipline or otherwise penalize or take any adverse employment action against an employee because of the employee's refusal to (Sec. 1):

• Attend an employer-sponsored meeting with the employer or its agent, representative or designee, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion concerning religious or political matters; or

• Listen to speech or view communications, including electronic communications, from the employer or its agent, representative or designee, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion concerning religious or political matters.

• Specifies that nothing in this section shall prohibit (Sec. 1):

• An employer or its agent, representative, or designee from communicating to their employees any information that the employer is required by law to communicate, but only to the extent of such legal requirement;

• An employer or its agent, representative, or designee from communicating to its employees any information that is necessary for such employees to perform their job duties;

• An institution of higher education, or any agent, representative or designee of such institution, from meeting with or participating in any communications with its employees that are part of coursework, any symposia, or an academic program at such institution; or

• Casual conversations between employees or between an employee and an agent, representative, or designee of an employer, provided that participation in such discussions is not required.

• Specifies that in a civil action to enforce this section, the court may award a prevailing employee all appropriate relief, including injunctive relief, reinstatement to the employee's former position or an equivalent position, back pay and reestablishment of any employee benefits, including seniority, to which the employee would otherwise have been eligible if the violation had not occurred, and damages. The court shall also award a prevailing employee reasonable attorneys' fees and costs (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text