Rhode Island
State Constitution
Read the Full Constitution
Access the complete, current text of the Rhode Island Constitution through the comprehensive 50 Constitutions database maintained by the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
View Rhode Island Constitution →Source: 50constitutions.org
Overview
The Rhode Island Constitution of 1843 serves as the fundamental law of the state, establishing the framework for government and protecting the rights of its citizens.
History
Rhode Island was admitted to the Union on May 29, 1790.
The current constitution was adopted in 1843. State constitutions are often amended more frequently than the federal Constitution, reflecting changing needs and values of state residents.
Structure of Government
Legislative
State Legislature
Executive
Governor & Cabinet
Judicial
State Courts
Bill of Rights
Like the U.S. Constitution, the Rhode Island Constitution includes protections for individual rights and liberties. State constitutions often provide broader protections than the federal Constitution, serving as a "floor" rather than a "ceiling" for rights.