Rhode Island 2024 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H7394

Introduced

1/31/24

Refer

1/31/24

Caption

HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY CALLING FOR PUBLICATION AND AFFIRMATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (Requests that the President, Joseph R. Biden, publish without delay the Equal Rights Amendment as our Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.)

Impact

The resolution highlights a significant point of contention regarding the interpretation of state and federal powers in relation to constitutional amendments. It argues that the U.S. Constitution does not impose a time limit on states' ratifications of amendments, thus contending that the ERA remains valid despite the elapsed time since its proposal. The bill asserts that attempts to impose time limits through congressional resolutions lack authority unless included in the text of the amendment itself, which has not been done for the ERA.

Summary

House Bill H7394 is a resolution calling for the publication and affirmation of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The bill emphasizes the necessity of ensuring that equality of rights under the law is not denied or abridged on account of sex—an important legal principle that has been sought after since the amendment's initial proposal in 1972. By urging the federal government to act upon the ERA, H7394 seeks to reaffirm the commitment to uphold gender equality at a constitutional level.

Contention

Supporters of H7394 argue that the ratification campaign for the ERA, which achieved the required three-fourths majority by states as of January 27, 2020, must be honored as per constitutional directives. They emphasize that efforts to rescind state ratifications have historically been unrecognized, framing the current discussion around the ERA as a critical step toward ensuring full legal equality for all genders in the U.S. Opponents may raise concerns about the implications of such an amendment, questioning how it could affect existing laws on gender discrimination and the enforcement of rights.

Latest H7394 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H5311

Joint Resolution Ratifying The Proposed Amendment To The Constitution Of The United States Relating To The Labor Of Persons Under Eighteen Years Of Age (this Joint Resolution Would Ratify A Proposed Amendment To The Constitution Of The United States Which Would Provide That The Congress Of The United States Would Have The Power To Limit, Regulate, And Prohibit The Labor Of Persons Under 18 Years Of Age.)

RI S0422

RI H5188

Joint Resolution Respectfully Requesting A Convention Of The States Under Article V Of The United States Constitution

RI S0288

Senate Resolution Respectfully Requesting That The United States Senate Stop Privatization Of Medicare (respectfully Requesting That The United States Senate Stop Privatization Of Medicare)

RI H5236

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State (initiative And Referendum) (this Resolution Would Enable The Citizens Of Rhode Island To Propose Laws And Amendments To The Constitution Through An Initiative And Referendum Process, Except As To Revenue And Appropriations, Which Power Remains Vested In The General Assembly.)

RI H5770

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Suffrage (would Propose To The Voters Of The State A Constitutional Amendment Regarding Eligibility To Vote And To Be A Candidate.)

RI S0608

RI H5518

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Line Item Veto

RI H5126

Joint Resolution To Approve, Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Four Year Terms And Term Limits For Representatives And Senators (proposes An Amendment To The State Constitution, Article Iv, To Allow For Term Limits For The General Assembly Members.)

RI S0341

Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution Of The State -- Referendum On Line Item Veto (this Proposed Amendment To The Constitution Would Provide The Governor With A Line Item Veto On The Budget And Other Bills For The Appropriation Of Money.)

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