CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island officials have agreed not to enforce a state law that limits the number of registered sex offenders at homeless shelters until a judge rules on the legal challenge.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island tells The Providence Journal the decision followed a closed-doors conference with a U.S. district judge Tuesday.
Lawyers representing the state Homeless Advocacy Project and several registered sex offenders sued to block the law that took effect Jan. 1. The law puts a 10-percent limit on the number of shelter beds given to registered sex offenders.
The complaint claims the law is unconstitutional and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Cranston lawmakers pushed the law due to concerns with the number of sex offenders staying at the Harrington Hall shelter.
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