Justine A. Caldwell

Justine A. Caldwell is a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing District 30, which encompasses East Greenwich and West Greenwich. She was born on November 30, 1982, and resides in East Greenwich with her husband David and their two children, Escher and Luna. She is a graduate of Pilgrim High School in Warwick.

Education

Caldwell holds advanced degrees in English and American Studies:

• Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Rhode Island
• Master of Arts in English, University of Rhode Island
• PhD in American Studies, Bowling Green State University

Political Experience

Caldwell was first elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in November 2018 and assumed office on January 1, 2019, succeeding Antonio Giarrusso. She currently serves as Deputy Majority Leader and holds the following committee positions:

• Chair of the House Conduct Committee
• Second Vice Chair of the House Corporations Committee
• Member of the House Judiciary Committee
• Member of the House Small Business Committee

Notable Achievements

Caldwell has focused her legislative efforts on gun violence prevention, workers' rights, environmental protection, and equality issues:

• Gun Safety: Sponsored the 2022 law prohibiting high-capacity gun magazines and the 2024 safe storage law; cosponsored legislation banning assault weapons , prohibiting untraceable firearms, and requiring police review of gun sales applications in the purchaser's community

• Workers' Rights: Cosponsored successful 2023 legislation strengthening Rhode Island's wage theft law

• Environmental Protection: Cosponsored the 2023 law prohibiting polystyrene foam food containers beginning in 2025 and legislation establishing a commission to study ways to discourage plastic bottle waste

• Gender Equality: Sponsored 2021 legislation allowing child care during campaign and officeholder activities as a campaign expenditure; cosponsored a 2020 law updating Rhode Island's parentage statutes with more inclusive family recognition provisions