Law 401

This week on Law 401, we’re joined by Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Executive Director of the Economic Progress Institute, to unpack the sweeping federal legislation known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Weayonnoh and her team of experts dug through all 870 pages to break down what really matters for Rhode Islanders.
From massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to the broader legal and civil rights implications, we explore the details that affect you.  Who’s most impacted? And how can Rhode Island respond? Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded conversation about law, policy, and the future of equity in our state.
Highlights:
What does this bill really mean to you?
Taxing the top to protect the vulnerable
Why it’s about more than money
What do the numbers really mean?
What are legal entitlements?
 
Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies: https://law.rwu.edu/student-life/stories/if-theres-life-theres-hope
Resources:
OBBB https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text
Commentary: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/21/metro/commentary-trump-era-tax-bill-medicaid-snap-rhode-island-tax-policy/
Economic Progress Institute: https://economicprogressri.org/

This episode thrives on podcast partnership. We’re joined by Ed Fitzpatrick, veteran Boston Globe Rhode Island reporter and host of the Rhode Island Report podcast.  What is fake news? In this episode, we explore how misinformation, fueled by AI, amplified on social media, and often dismissed as “fake news,” is reshaping our legal system and democracy. From trials to government debates, misinformation undermines fairness and fuels distrust. Attacks on journalists worsen this by silencing accountability and enabling misinformation to spread.Drawing on decades of reporting, Ed offers insight into the rising tension between free speech, press freedom, and the right to a fair trial in an era of digital half-truths.Resources:Ed’s Bio: https://www.bostonglobe.com/about/staff-list/staff/edward-fitzpatrick/Five Freedoms: https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-iInformation Futures Lab: https://sites.brown.edu/informationfutures/RI Board of Elections: https://elections.ri.gov/RI Bans Deepfakes: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/02/metro/rhode-island-regulates-deepfakes-elections/Jeff Britt Trial: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/16/metro/ri-political-operative-britt-found-not-guilty-money-laundering-trial/Hungry for more media discussion? Join Boston Globe at the Rhode Map Live event: Telling Rhode Island’s Story: The Future of Local Media. Tuesday, Sept. 30. Info and registration via https://rhodemapliveseptember30.splashthat.com/ 

Zoning laws, red tape, and outdated building restrictions are blocking the housing Rhode Islanders desperately need. In this episode of Law 401, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi joins us to break down how the General Assembly is fighting the housing crisis by passing laws to fix a system that keeps homes out of reach for so many.In this episode, we cover: How zoning laws have slowed housing growth, and what’s changing What preemption means, and how the state uses it to mandate housing access The legalization and expansion of Accessory Dwelling UnitsNew efforts to repurpose vacant commercial and institutional buildingsWhy increasing housing supply can help bring down rents and reduce homelessnessThe balance between local control and statewide responsibilityPLUS: The HASBRO Headquarters moveResources: Speaker Shekarchi’s Bio: https://www.rilegislature.gov/representatives/Shekarchi/Pages/Biography.aspx2025 R.I. Housing Legislation: https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31%2D3c10%2D431c%2D8dcd%2D9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=375110&Web=2bab1515%2D0dcc%2D4176%2Da2f8%2D8d4beebdf488\2024 R.I. Housing Bills Passed:  https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=374721HousingWorks R.I. 2024 Factbook: https://d337wih8hx5yft.cloudfront.net/images/Publications/HWRI_HFB24.pdfChapter 37: RI Fair Housing Practices Act https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-37/INDEX.HTM

What’s a tariff — and why do they have the power to shake the global economy, trigger political showdowns, and hit your wallet at the grocery store?In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen explore how tariffs impact everything from international trade to Rhode Island’s local businesses. They’re joined by Gregory W. Bowman, Dean of Roger Williams University School of Law and former international trade attorney, for a deep dive into how this complex economic tool works — and why we should all be paying attention.In this episode, we cover: What tariffs are and how they influence global trade relationshipsThe legal and political process behind implementing tariffsWhy tariffs don’t just affect big corporations, but everyday consumers Historical and current U.S. tariff policies — and the debates surrounding themThe tension between protecting national industries and global market accessHow future lawyers can prepare to work in this evolving legal landscapeWhether you’re a student of law, a small business owner, or someone trying to make sense of trade wars in the news, this episode unpacks the legal and practical sides of tariffs in an accessible way.Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.Rhode Island Impacts:Polaris MEP "Tariff Impact Report" (June 2025) https://polarismep.org/news/tariff-impact-report/University of Rhode Island report: “Tariff‑induced uncertainties cloud R.I. economy’s recession status”https://www.uri.edu/news/2025/08/tariff-induced-uncertainties-cloud-r-i-economys-recession-status-says-uri-economist/General:Tariffs—Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask https://www.epi.org/publication/tariffs-everything-you-need-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask/Carlo Institute's 'Separating Tariff Facts from Tariff Fictions' https://www.cato.org/publications/separating-tariff-facts-tariff-fictionsBoston Globe article: "Appeals court finds Trump’s sweeping tariffs unconstitutional but leaves them in place for now" https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/29/business/trump-tariffs-unconstitutional-appeals-court/

When reports surfaced about a longtime high school coach conducting "fat tests" behind closed doors, the story shocked Rhode Island — and raised serious legal and ethical questions about student safety, institutional responsibility, and transparency in public education.In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen are joined by investigative reporter Tim White of WPRI 12 (and RWU Law MSL '22) to unpack the disturbing case out of North Kingstown. Together, they explore what went wrong, why it took so long to come to light, and what it tells us about how misconduct is handled in schools.In this episode, we cover:What happened in the North Kingstown “fat test” scandal — and how it unfoldedWhat legal obligations schools have to report and investigate abuseThe roles of Title IX, mandated reporting laws, and civil litigationHow journalists approach sensitive investigations involving minorsWhat systems failed — and what accountability looks likeThe lasting impact on students, families, and the wider communityThis episode explores not just a local scandal but a broader reckoning over power, trust, and institutional silence.Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.People Magazine: "Former High School Basketball Coach Accused of Molesting Boys During Nude 'Fat Testing' Goes to Trial"  https://people.com/former-coach-accused-molesting-boys-during-fat-testing-goes-to-trial-11707208GoLocalProv article:  "North Kingstown Naked Fat Test Coach Charged with Sexual Assault and Child Molestation"https://www.golocalprov.com/news/new-north-kingstown-naked-fat-test-coach-charged-with-sexual-assault-and-chTim White and Eli Sherman - WPRI break down the verdict in the "naked fat test" trial of Aaron Thomas.https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1429194511765168 The Public's Radio | Rhode Island PBS https://www.ripbs.org/news-and-culture/jury-finds-former-ri-high-school-basketball-coach-not-guilty-of-sex-crimesRI Relevant LawsSecond-Degree Child Molestation — R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37-8.4 https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-11/chapter-11-37/section-11-37-8-4/Simple Assault or Battery (Misdemeanor Penalties) -- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11‑5‑3https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-11/chapter-11-5/section-11-5-3/

Across the country, battles over book bans are intensifying — and Rhode Island is not immune. Who decides what’s appropriate to read? Who gets to make that call for children, schools, and public libraries?In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen explore the growing wave of book challenges and censorship efforts, and how they intersect with law, policy, and free expression. They’re joined by Cheryl Space, Director of the Community Libraries of Providence, and Dan Novack, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Penguin Random House, to discuss the implications of book bans in Rhode Island andbeyond.In this episode, we cover: How library book challenges typically begin — and who decides what stays on shelvesWhy legal protections for free speech don’t always prevent book removalsThe tension between parental rights, school boards, and public accessHow publishers are pushing back through litigation and advocacyWhat’s at stake for marginalized communities and authorsHow Rhode Island libraries are responding to national trendsFrom libraries to classrooms to courtrooms, this episode dives deep into the fight over access to ideas — and what it means for democracy.Resource links:House Bill 5726 (Freedom to Read Act – PDF: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H5726.pdfSenate Bill 238 (Companion Bill): https://legiscan.com/RI/bill/S0238/2025Community Libraries of Providence:  https://clpvd.org/Penguin Random House https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.

New federal student loan changes could transform how Rhode Islanders pay for college, graduate school, and professional degrees — while proposed shifts at the U.S. Department of Education could reshape K–12 classrooms. From borrowing caps to changes in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) to the future of federal education support, what’s at stake for students and families across the state?On Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen talk with U.S. Senator Jack Reed about the legal, financial, and policy impacts of these changes — and how they might affect education from kindergarten through professional school.Topics include:Key changes to federal student loan programs and who they affectHow new rules could alter student loan forgiveness for public-interest careersWhy “professional” programs face different rules — and who’s includedWhat tighter loan caps and loss of subsidized loans mean for working familiesPossible effects of downsizing the U.S. Department of EducationHow Rhode Islanders can respond through legal and political channelsListen and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible. Resources mentioned in this episode:Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellationU.S. Department of Education on restoring PSLF: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-concludes-negotiated-rulemaking-session-restore-public-service-loan-forgivenessWhite House Presidential Action on PSLF: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/restoring-public-service-loan-forgiveness/RWU Law’s Public Interest Loan Repayment Assistance Program (PILRAP): https://law.rwu.edu/admission/financing-your-legal-education/public-interest-loan-repayment-assistance-program-pilrapStarting with this episode, Law 401 will now release weekly — new episodes every Tuesday.

In this episode of Law 401, we break down Rhode Island’s journey to legalize adult-use cannabis and what that means for everyday users, lawmakers, and communities most affected by past drug policies. Joined by Kim Ahern, Chair of the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission, and Michelle Reddish, a national cannabis regulator now leading Rhode Island’s cannabis office, the discussion covers the new legal framework, the social equity program, zoning rules, dispensary access, and what’s next for cannabis compliance and community reinvestment.Whether you’re a cannabis policy nerd, a concerned citizen, or just wondering where to legally buy a gummy — this episode is for you.For resources, please check out:Cannabis Control  Commission RI   https://ccc.ri.gov/ACLU:  https://www.riaclu.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-recreational-marijuana-ri

Why can’t Rhode Islanders afford to live where they work? Why are evictions rising? And what legal protections — if any — exist for people at risk of losing their homes?In this powerful episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen tackle the state’s growing housing crisis. They’re joined by Brenda Clement, Executive Director of HousingWorks RI, and Suzy Harrington-Steppen, Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs at RWU Law, to unpack the legal, economic, and human realities of unaffordable housing and increasing evictions across Rhode Island.In this episode, we cover: • What “affordable housing” actually means (and why it’s out of reach for many) • How local zoning laws and outdated housing stock are holding Rhode Island back • Why eviction filings are back to pre-pandemic levels — and who’s being hit hardest • What legal resources exist for tenants and where the system falls short • The link between substandard housing, health, and education outcomes • What the future of housing in RI could look like with new legislation and advocacyWhether you’re a renter, homeowner, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this episode reveals how deeply housing affects everyone — and why we all need to be part of the solution.Rhode Island Housing Works: https://www.housingworksri.org/2024 RI Housing Fact Book: https://d337wih8hx5yft.cloudfront.net/images/Publications/HWRI_HFB24.pdfEvicted by Mark Desmond: https://evictedbook.com/Rhode Island Legal Services/RI Fair Housing: https://rifairhousing.org/Center for Justice: https://centerforjustice.org/South Coast Fair Housing: https://southcoastfairhousing.org/Rhode Island Commission to End Homelessness: https://www.rihomeless.org/🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.

In the debut episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, we dig into one of Rhode Island’s most disruptive infrastructure failures — the sudden closure of the Washington Bridge. Joined by investigative reporter Ted Nesi (WPRI 12), we break down the legal, political, and economic fallout of the bridge shutdown, which paralyzed traffic and prompted lawsuits, public outcry, and questions about government accountability.This episode unpacks:Why the state filed suit against contractorsWhat the bridge’s unusual structure had to do with the collapse riskHow public records laws and lack of transparency fueled public distrustThe broader implications for infrastructure management and state leadershipWhat comes next for commuters, businesses, and elected officials as 2026 elections loomIf you’ve ever sat in Washington Bridge traffic, wondered who’s to blame, or questioned whether the system failed — this episode is for you.https://www.wpri.com/target-12/427m-to-rebuild-washington-bridge-by-november-2028-mckee-announces/https://www.dot.ri.gov/projects/WashingtonBridgeClosure/index.php 📍 Perfect for Rhode Islanders, commuters, legal minds, and anyone interested in how law and public policy collide in times of crisis.