PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Several Rhode Island advocacy organizations say recent rules enacted by the state health department are negatively affecting thousands of people with criminal records or substance use disorders.
Eight groups wrote Wednesday to Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, criticizing rules they say make it harder for these individuals to obtain professional licenses for health care jobs.
The department said in response it’s reviewing the language of all statutes and regulations. It says a history of substance use or past felonies alone shouldn’t prevent anyone from being able to work as a health care provider.
The letter was signed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, JustLeadershipUSA, Direct Action for Rights and Equality, NAACP Providence, Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, OpenDoors, Legal Action Center and National Employment Law Project.
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