Edith H. Ajello

Edith H. Ajello was born on April 26, 1944, and is an American politician and retail store manager. A Democrat, she has represented Rhode Island's House District 1 since 2013, and previously represented District 3 from 1993 to 2013. She serves the residents of the East Side of Providence and has been a strong advocate for protecting individuals' privacy and human rights throughout her legislative career.

In addition to her role as a legislator, Ajello works as a store manager for an oriental rug outlet in Providence, bringing practical business experience to her public service.

Political Experience

Ajello has served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives since first being elected in November 1992. She currently serves as the First Vice-Chairwoman of the House Committee on Judiciary and previously served as chairwoman of that committee. She is also a member of the House Oversight Committee and the House State Government and Elections Committee.

Notable Achievements

Ajello has sponsored or cosponsored landmark legislation across several key areas:

Civil Rights and Equality
- Instrumental in the 2019 passage of the Reproductive Privacy Act, which protected reproductive rights in Rhode Island
- Cosponsored the 2023 law that eliminated bans on abortion coverage for Medicaid recipients and state employees
- Sponsored the 2001 law prohibiting housing discrimination based on gender identity or expression, with a 2021 update making it applicable to all housing
- Sponsored legislation in 2023 to formalize wider state protections against discrimination in health care
- Added gender identity to the state's hate crimes law and banned "conversion therapy" on minors
- Cosponsored Rhode Island's first-in-the-nation Homeless Bill of Rights

Privacy and Government Reform
- Sponsored laws protecting citizens' privacy by requiring law enforcement officers to obtain warrants for location data from cellular phones and electronic devices
- Banned employers and schools from demanding access or passwords to social media accounts of applicants
- Sponsored legislation reducing racial profiling and warrantless searches of minors
- During her tenure as Judiciary Committee chairwoman, major revisions to the Access to Public Records Act were enacted and "Super PACs" were required to disclose their major donors

Voting Rights and Criminal Justice
- Sponsored the law ensuring that any voter in line to vote when polls close is allowed to cast their vote
- Sponsored the law requiring post-election audits to ensure voting equipment functioned properly
- Made possession of a small amount of marijuana a civil offense rather than a crime during her chairmanship

Ajello received the Rhode Island ACLU's Raymond J. Pettine Civil Libertarian of the Year award in 2006 for her legislative efforts regarding civil liberties. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Women's Health and Education Fund.