Committee Approves New House Rules

(Providence, RI)  --  The much-scrutinized rules for how the Rhode Island House of Representatives will operate this legislative session are getting through committee.  The new rules, approved 14-to-3 on Thursday night by the House Rules Committee, include a new 24-hour waiting period after bills are amended.  The Reform Caucus, a group of Democrats that has formed in opposition to the leadership of House Speaker Nick Mattiello, had pushed for a 48-hour period.  The rules bill that passed creates a new office to investigate sexual harassment complaints against legislators and State House employees, but a controversial gag rule for victims was erased.


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