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Valarie Lawson
Senator, SD-014 District
Rhode Island Senate, Democratic, Rhode Island
Latest 50 votes · 50 records
- Voted YES on The “Makes it unlawful for a person in the custody of the department of corrections to use any force or weapon...” (SB 2733)Official title: Makes it unlawful for a person in the custody of the department of corrections to use any force or weapon to resist a lawful request or directive.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Places limits on the number of self-service checkout stations a grocery store can have and on the workload...” (SB 2342)Official title: Places limits on the number of self-service checkout stations a grocery store can have and on the workload of employees assigned to monitor those checkout stations.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Further delineates the definitions of felony, misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor” (SB 2047)Official title: Further delineates the definitions of felony, misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant...” (SB 2045)Official title: Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Allows for sending of the notice under power of sale and rights of active military servicemembers by USPS...” (SB 3361)Official title: Allows for sending of the notice under power of sale and rights of active military servicemembers by USPS First Class Mail and/or an overnight delivery service, instead of by USPS certified mail return receipt requested.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any...” (SB 2292)Official title: Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant...” (SB 2045)Official title: Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Requires an insurance company to directly pay the insured's chosen appraiser and the umpire appraiser, if...” (SB 3365)Official title: Requires an insurance company to directly pay the insured's chosen appraiser and the umpire appraiser, if applicable, upon receipt of a "direction to pay" executed by an insured or claimant.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident...” (SB 2650)Official title: Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Increases income limits for eligible families and also increases the exit threshold” (SB 2667)Official title: Increases income limits for eligible families and also increases the exit threshold.Jun 11, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Provides technical amendments relating to comprehensive planning and land use, subdivision of land, zoning...” (SB 3302)Official title: Provides technical amendments relating to comprehensive planning and land use, subdivision of land, zoning ordinances and low- and moderate-income housing.Jun 10, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Prohibits the operation of any thermal waste conversion facility such as pyrolysis within the Quonset...” (SB 3224)Official title: Prohibits the operation of any thermal waste conversion facility such as pyrolysis within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park and expires on June 1, 2027.Jun 10, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject...” (SB 3180)Official title: Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person.Jun 10, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Makes traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law” (SB 2480)Official title: Makes traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law.Jun 10, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Establishes a program for the energy and water benchmarking of large buildings in Rhode Island...” (SB 2260)Official title: Establishes a program for the energy and water benchmarking of large buildings in Rhode Island and a standard for their energy performance.Jun 10, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Provides guidelines regarding placing restrictions on residential recovery houses” (SB 2575)Official title: Provides guidelines regarding placing restrictions on residential recovery houses.Jun 10, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Extends certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory...” (SB 2347)Official title: Extends certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, as well as updates warranty reimbursement and recalls obligation policies.Jun 10, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center, upon hire, with written...” (SB 2504)Official title: Requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center, upon hire, with written description of quotas applicable to the employee within defined time periods and adverse employment action for failure to meet the quota.Jun 10, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Prohibits ICE employees, agents or officials from being within two hundred feet (200') of any polling place...” (SB 3339)Official title: Prohibits ICE employees, agents or officials from being within two hundred feet (200') of any polling place during voting, including early voting and election day voting.Jun 9, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Permits non-sworn public safety officers/security guards at private colleges/universities to detain...” (SB 2279)Official title: Permits non-sworn public safety officers/security guards at private colleges/universities to detain individuals within the campus’s jurisdiction if the officer or guard believes the person committed a criminal offense.Jun 9, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Allows for the sealing of an eviction record for a defective complaint and/or lack of jurisdiction...” (SB 3163)Official title: Allows for the sealing of an eviction record for a defective complaint and/or lack of jurisdiction and would, upon motion of a person between 18 and 21 years of age, seal a person's association with an eviction under certain circumstances.Jun 9, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Clarifies the means by which attached single-family dwelling units may be created, recorded, and regulated...” (SB 2907)Official title: Clarifies the means by which attached single-family dwelling units may be created, recorded, and regulated as subdivisions of an existing lot under current zoning ordinance law.Jun 9, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Requires a housing code enforcement officer to give a copy of any housing code violation notice to all...” (SB 2269)Official title: Requires a housing code enforcement officer to give a copy of any housing code violation notice to all tenants of the building affected by an alleged housing code violation, along with any hearing dates scheduled for the violation.Jun 9, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Reduces the cigarette tax imposed by 75% for any modified risk tobacco product as defined in § 21 U.S.C....” (SB 2360)Official title: Reduces the cigarette tax imposed by 75% for any modified risk tobacco product as defined in § 21 U.S.C. 387 k as a tobacco product sold/distributed to reduce the harm/risk of tobacco-related disease associated with commercially marketed tobacco products.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Permits on and after July 1, 2027, for an insurer to consider the zip code in which the vehicle is garaged...” (SB 2431)Official title: Permits on and after July 1, 2027, for an insurer to consider the zip code in which the vehicle is garaged; provided that, the calculation of the zip code is segmented by the municipality where the vehicle is garaged.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Redefines sports wagering sections specifically change the percent the host facilities receive on sports...” (SB 3118)Official title: Redefines sports wagering sections specifically change the percent the host facilities receive on sports wagering.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Bars the council from granting approval to create or expand a charter school beginning operations in 26-27...” (SB 2787)Official title: Bars the council from granting approval to create or expand a charter school beginning operations in 26-27 school year and bars the state from approving or appropriating funds to a new charter school not approved before July 1, 2025.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Creates a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence...” (SB 2499)Official title: Creates a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, considering the interests of employers and employees.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Provides that only a mayor or town administrator could be a voting member of the board of directors...” (SB 2783)Official title: Provides that only a mayor or town administrator could be a voting member of the board of directors or trustees for a mayoral academy.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Provides that the prescription label for medication abortion prescription drugs may include the name...” (SB 2033)Official title: Provides that the prescription label for medication abortion prescription drugs may include the name of the dispensing healthcare practice instead of the name of the dispenser.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Establishes the healthcare worker platform and would require platforms offering healthcare shifts...” (SB 2107)Official title: Establishes the healthcare worker platform and would require platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the department of health by June 1, 2027, while, specifically, exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Increases the fine for speeding 1-10 mph in excess of posted speed limit in a residential or school zone...” (SB 2718)Official title: Increases the fine for speeding 1-10 mph in excess of posted speed limit in a residential or school zone to $125 and would increase the fine $250 for speed in excess of 11 mph in a residential or school zone.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Allows any city, town, state and/or agency of a municipality or the state to report unpaid fines of two...” (SB 3165)Official title: Allows any city, town, state and/or agency of a municipality or the state to report unpaid fines of two hundred dollars ($200) or more to the division of motor vehicles as grounds for refusal of registration.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting...” (SB 2139)Official title: Prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Allows municipalities participating in the state prekindergarten program to accept students from outside...” (SB 2207)Official title: Allows municipalities participating in the state prekindergarten program to accept students from outside the municipality under certain conditions and establishes a lottery for enrollment in the program.Jun 4, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Prohibits state or local authorities from voluntary participation in federal civil immigration enforcement....” (SB 3116)Official title: Prohibits state or local authorities from voluntary participation in federal civil immigration enforcement. It would not prohibit compliance with a judicial warrant or court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.Jun 3, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Provides that when two or more individuals associate to accomplish the crime of shoplifting, that they...” (SB 3167)Official title: Provides that when two or more individuals associate to accomplish the crime of shoplifting, that they would be deemed to be associated for the particular purpose of shoplifting and be guilty of a felony.Jun 3, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Creates the Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act” (SB 2605)Official title: Creates the Rhode Island Federal Constitution defense act.Jun 3, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's...” (SB 2054)Official title: Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's medical care and treatment shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission.Jun 3, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Extends the sunsetting of the "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic detection systems from January 15...” (SB 3228)Official title: Extends the sunsetting of the "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic detection systems from January 15, 2027, to January 15, 2030.Jun 3, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Requires all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a school safety plan that would...” (SB 2280)Official title: Requires all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a school safety plan that would provide for immediate access to school facilities by first responders in an emergency.Jun 3, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Raises the percentage from eighty percent (80%) to eighty-five percent (85%) regarding declaring a vehicle...” (SB 3115)Official title: Raises the percentage from eighty percent (80%) to eighty-five percent (85%) regarding declaring a vehicle a total loss.Jun 3, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner...” (SB 2481)Official title: Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.May 28, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Repeals the law that prevents a collective bargaining agreement covering state employees, public school...” (SB 2174)Official title: Repeals the law that prevents a collective bargaining agreement covering state employees, public school teachers and municipal employees from specifying a particular healthcare provider in it.May 28, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Permits the expungement of records 5 years after the imposition of sentence for misdemeanors and 10 years...” (SB 2983)Official title: Permits the expungement of records 5 years after the imposition of sentence for misdemeanors and 10 years after the imposition of sentence for felonies, and if the sentence is greater than 10 years, then, upon successful completion of the sentence.May 28, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Makes persons convicted of petty misdemeanors and convicted of simple possession of controlled substances...” (SB 2964)Official title: Makes persons convicted of petty misdemeanors and convicted of simple possession of controlled substances, eligible to have their records expunged three years after completion of their sentence.May 28, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Establishes provisions for student and teacher classroom safety and provides the authority to remove...” (SB 2524)Official title: Establishes provisions for student and teacher classroom safety and provides the authority to remove students from classrooms. This act provides for student and educator protections from said removals.May 28, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Beginning on July 1, 2026, allows state union employees to negotiate longevity payments in their collective...” (SB 2501)Official title: Beginning on July 1, 2026, allows state union employees to negotiate longevity payments in their collective bargaining agreements.May 28, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center, upon hire, with written...” (SB 2504)Official title: Requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center, upon hire, with written description of quotas applicable to the employee within defined time periods and adverse employment action for failure to meet the quota.May 28, 2026, 1 record
- Voted YES on The “Expands the benefit definitions of temporary care giver leave to include a grandchild and care recipient...” (SB 2737)Official title: Expands the benefit definitions of temporary care giver leave to include a grandchild and care recipient and would increase a leave benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and twelve 12 weeks for 2028.May 28, 2026, 1 record