Jose Batista

José F. Batista (D) was first elected on November 3, 2020 to represent the people of District 12 in Providence's South Side and Washington Park neighborhoods. He serves as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the House Municipal Government & Housing Committee, and the House Oversight Committee. Representative Batista has been a leader in advocating for criminal justice reform. He has introduced landmark legislation to fundamentally reform the criminal justice system in Rhode Island, including bills to reform policing, shift the focus of drug laws from criminalization to treatment, and begin to undo policies that have helped cause the current and national mass incarceration crisis. In his first term, Representative Batista sponsored Rhode Island's law establishing a statewide program for police body cameras . In 2023, he introduced successful legislation that made those on parole, probation or serving a suspended sentence eligible for jury service . His work also includes efforts for economic and environmental justice, as well as fair, safe and affordable housing. He was the sponsor of a law that helps ensure workers in the construction industry have access to paid sick time…