Alana M DiMario

Senate Resolution Extending The Reporting And Expiration Dates Of The Special Commission To Make A Comprehensive Study Of Rhode Island's Healthcare Workforce Related To Educating And Retaining Primary Care Physicians And Establishing A State Medical School At The University Of Rhode Island (extends Reporting And Expiration Dates Of Commission Studying Ri's Healthcare Workforce Relating To Educating And Retaining Primary Care Physicians And A Medical School At Uri From January 2, 2026, To March 1, 2026, And Expires On June 30, 2026.)

This act would promote transparency and accountability in the use of artificial intelligence by health insurers to manage coverage and claims. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that an insurer furnish written notice of nonrenewal of automobile or homeowner's insurance coverage at least sixty (60) days prior to nonrenewal, and written notice of any coverage reductions, elimination, or increased deductibles for this insurance not made to the request of the insured would be furnished at least thirty (30) days prior to renewal. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would require the constant updating of information to accommodate changes in broadband technology. The act would also direct the Rhode Island commerce corporation to implement new data collection and mapping of broadband availability, provide protections for certain submitted data, and direct the corporation to collect fees from Internet service providers operating in Rhode Island to fund the data collection required by the act. The act would further require the corporation to submit a detailed plan to the governor and general assembly regarding the creation of a broadband regulatory authority. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a Rhode Island Climate Superfund and direct the department of environmental management (DEM) to assess, pursue cost recovery demands, and charge a responsible party for climate change response work. This charge would include, but would not be limited to, maintenance, repair, or improvement of projects necessary to protect people, property, natural resources, public health, and the State’s economy from the impacts of climate change. This act would also authorize the creation of a climate superfund account. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would impose a sales tax on digital advertising services. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of Approximately $30,000,000 To Rhode Island's Public Schools For Safety And Security Improvements (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $100,000 To Each Public School In Rhode Island For School Safety And Security Improvements.)

This act would increase the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that the prescription label for medication abortion prescription drugs may include the name of the prescriber's healthcare practice instead of the name of the prescriber. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the family court from detaining any youth or committing any youth, twelve (12) years or younger, to the training school, for any offense other than murder, first degree sexual assault, or an attempt to commit such offenses, and the court determines that there is no other reasonable placement to ensure the safety of the youth and the general public. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the process to provide a legal mechanism whereby a terminally ill patient may choose to end their life using medications prescribed by a physician. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that statements by a healthcare provider to a patient or to the patient's relative or representative regarding the unanticipated outcome of such patient's medical care and treatment, such as an apology or an expression of sympathy, shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest in any claim or action against the provider. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require specific notice of the tax sale to the taxpayer with a copy of this § 44-9-10 attached thereto. Failure to do so would render the tax sale null and void. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would expand the council on elementary and secondary education to ten (10) members; make six (6) members a quorum; would make the teacher of the year a voting member; would require the student advisory council to meet at least quarterly; would make the chair of the student advisory council a voting member of the council; would expand the board of education from seventeen (17) to nineteen (19) members and would include the Rhode Island teacher of the year and the chairperson of the student advisory council and would also be voting members to the board. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would eliminate the sunset on the provision of funding for child care educators. This act would also modify the eligibility requirement to eighty-five (85%) percent of state median income to waive any copayment. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide beginning July 1, 2026, that twenty percent (20%) of available proceeds in the Rhode Island highway maintenance account would be allocated annually to RIPTA for operating expenditures. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt the Health Care Entity Fiscal Integrity, Transparency and Accountability Act from the requirement that indirect cost recoveries of fifteen percent (15%) of funds from restricted receipt accounts be recorded as general revenues in the general fund. This act would also require quarterly financial reporting to the executive office of health and human services beginning on October 1, 2026. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the medical primary care scholarship program to be administered by the commissioner of postsecondary education. This act would appropriate one million dollars ($1,000,000) for fiscal year 2026-2027 which would be utilized to provide scholarships for four (4) years for doctors, and for two (2) years for physician assistants and nurse practitioners to provide primary care services in Rhode Island. For every year a medical practitioner received a scholarship, the recipient would be required to provide two (2) years of work in the field of primary care in the state upon graduation. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would establish the healthcare worker platform and would require platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the department of health by June 1, 2027, while, specifically, exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit insurance companies from paying a rate that is less than the approved Medicaid rate set by the executive office of health and human services. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would prohibit healthcare insurers or pharmacy benefit managers from requiring or conducting a review for prescription medicine that is used in the treatment of alcohol or opioid use disorder, that contains methadone, burenorphine, or naltrexone or that was approved for the mitigation of opioid withdrawal symptoms. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to families with children age twenty-one (21) years and younger stricken by a catastrophic illness for medical expenses not covered by any other state or federal program or any insurance contract. A nine (9) member commission would establish and administer a program to achieve the purposes of the fund. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), physicians, and physician assistants to provide services to patients located in Rhode Island via telemedicine when those services are necessary and medically and clinically appropriate. This act would also allow APRNs, physicians, and physician assistants who are licensed in other states or U.S. territories who have appropriate professional liability insurance coverage and who are licensed and in good standing in those jurisdictions to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in Rhode Island when those services are rendered. Further, this act would bring providers who render telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when the services are rendered under the jurisdiction of the state and its courts. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require, commencing January 1, 2027, group health plans and health insurance issuers that provide prescription benefits to cover at least one type of glucagon auto- injector, nasal spray, or formulation which does not require reconstitution to treat hypoglycemia with two (2) glucagon auto-injectors every plan year. No copayment or deductible would be required to obtain prescribed glucagon medications. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow the office of health insurance commissioner (OHIC) as the state agency that has the authority to designate patient-centered medical home (PCMH) care to obtain maximal health outcomes. The primary care site would have achieved and maintain NCQA, PCMH distinction or approval of the joint commission on AAAHC, as determined by the department of health. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that the executive office of health and human services, through Emergency Medicaid, would cover dialysis for the treatment of end stage renal disease ("ESRD") and kidney transplants for Rhode Island residents who do not qualify for full Medicaid under Federal law due to their immigration status. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would remove the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal the provisions of § 34-7-4 which provides that no right of footway, except claimed in connection with a right to pass with carriages, could be acquired by prescription or adverse use for any length of time. This act would effectively eliminate the statutory prohibition against acquiring a right of footway by adverse possession. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make numerous changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public. Additionally, this act would include a police report of an incident that does not lead to an arrest as accessible to public records request. Any final reports of investigations conducted by internal affairs would be accessible to public records request. All police worn body camera footage would be accessible to public records request and would be made available within thirty (30) days. Arrest logs made within thirty (30) days of arrest, changed from five (5) days previously, would be accessible to public records request. A civil fine for public officials who knowingly violate this chapter would increase from two thousand dollars ($2,000) to four thousand dollars ($4,000), and if a public official recklessly violates this chapter a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000) this is a change from one thousand dollars ($1,000) previously. There would also be relief in the case of a person filing frivolous request with the intent to disrupt government operations. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require public bodies to offer translation services for all open meetings of said bodies. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or criminal behavior unless (1) the parent, legal guardian of the juvenile or the DCYF when parental rights are terminated is present, (2) unless an attorney is present, (3) the juvenile and their parent or legal guardian have waived their presence, (4) the court is satisfied that the juvenile has made a knowing voluntary waiver of their rights, or (5) the juvenile is emancipated or has misrepresented their age as being eighteen (18) years or older. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require one elector of the parole board to be a person directly impacted by the criminal justice system who has completed the probation/parole process three (3) or more years prior to selection with a professional background in certain enumerated areas. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the courts to consider the parental status of the defendant at the time of sentencing and would allow the defendant to present a family impact statement, including testimony, videos and documents relative to their parental status. Unless the court finds that the parent poses a significant risk to the community that outweighs the harm of the parent’s absence from the child’s life, it shall impose a sentence that does not include imprisonment. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would grant tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. This act would also provide for requests to change locks. This act would take effect upon passage.

Commencing July 1, 2026, this act would eliminate the provision of this section that requires new applicants for employment under this section to pay the expense for their criminal background checks. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a special motor vehicle registration plate for the Friends of the Historic Narragansett Towers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow persons with disabilities to receive up to two (2) motor vehicle disability parking privilege placards. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Proclaiming January 18th-24th, 2026, To Be "certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Celebrating The Life And Extending Deepest Condolences On The Passing Of Carrigan Mccorrie-raine Nelson

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Margaret M. Ottman

This act would direct the public utilities commission to establish a standardized framework for determining authorized common equity ratios and authorized rates of returns on equity for public utilities. This act would take effect on July 1, 2027.

This act would allow Rhode Island to opt out of the provisions of the “Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980” (DIDMCA), for loans made within the State of Rhode Island, which allow financial institutions chartered in other states to be exempt from interest rate limits which apply to financial institutions chartered in Rhode Island. This act would also prevent evasion of Rhode Island’s interest rate limits and lending rules by making clear that lenders, whether they identify themselves as such or not, remain bound by Rhode Island’s lending laws for both small loans and loans in general. This act would take effect on October 1, 2026.

This act would allow municipalities participating in the state prekindergarten program to accept students from outside the municipality under certain conditions and establish a lottery for enrollment in the program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require transition planning for high school students with disabilities, who have a “504” plan, like the transition planning required for high school students with disabilities, who have an individualized education program (IEP). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would expand and fine tune the law on the right to a safe school. It would authorize the school administration to issue an out-of-school suspension to students in grade six (6) or above not only if they are disruptive, but also if they are a threat to the safety of students, teachers, or administrators; or found guilty of violating school regulations involving alcohol, illegal drugs or controlled substances, or weapons. The act would also provide that where students are in preschool through grade five (5), the school administration may issue an out-of-school suspension but only after a consultation with a school psychologist or other mental health professional. This act would take effect upon passage.

The act would direct the office of energy resources to develop building performance standards for large buildings in Rhode Island that would cause greenhouse gas emissions to decline in line with the act on climate requirements. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit a person to sell, offer for sale, display for sale or otherwise distribute a farmed animal fur product within the state and would provide graduated civil penalties for violations. This act would take effect three (3) years after passage.

This act would include Medicaid enrollment in the student success factor of the foundation aid formula to provide added support for high-need students beyond the core instructional amount. This would begin with the FY 2027 calculation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that not later than June 30, 2027, the department of education would develop and adopt, in consultation with the office of energy resources, regulations requiring all school buildings to meet the standard of zero energy capable, as defined in § 16-7-36, by December 31, 2037. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a municipality to set an additional conveyance tax rate of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) for each five hundred dollars ($500), or fractional part of that amount, of the consideration in excess of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000). This act would also require that the excess conveyance taxes collected alternatively be deposited in a restricted account and distributed within two (2) years, to be used only for affordable housing for individuals or families at or below eighty percent (80%) of the area median income or transferred to state housing agencies for use in the community to develop affordable housing. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create an additional Rhode Island personal income tax of three percent (3.00%) on taxable income over approximately six-hundred and forty thousand dollars ($640,000) in 2026 dollars, impacting only the top one percent (1%) in income of personal income tax filers. This tax would apply to taxable income after all appropriate exemptions and deductions and not to total income. The existing three-bracket personal income tax structure would remain in place. Each year, Rhode Island’s division of taxation would apply an inflation adjustment to revise the top one percent (1%) cut-off for the following tax year. This act would not apply retroactively to prior tax years or to taxable income from prior tax years. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $2,000,000 To The Elisha Project (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $2,000,000 To The Elisha Project.)

This act would provide that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the department of human services to provide childcare assistance to families, including those served through DCYF, who meet the requirements of a protective services category as defined in CFR 45 §98.20 (a)(3)(ii). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt from the sales tax behind-the-meter batteries interconnected with a solar photovoltaic system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a tax credit against income tax based upon eligible expenditures incurred by a family caregiver for the care and support of an eligible family member. The maximum amount of the credit would be one thousand dollars ($1,000) and would apply to all tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would expand the post-retirement positions that any retired member in the state retirement system could have at a state college or university, to include positions outside of teaching, but would maintain the same cap on the amount of money that person could be paid for part-time work. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create an income-sensitive tiered subsidy program to ensure that home energy utility costs are affordable for eligible low-income households. The cost of the discount, including administrative costs not funded through other sources, would be collected in rates from all other customers of the electric and gas distribution companies in a manner determined just and reasonable by the public utilities commission. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products, voluntary sterilization procedures, patient education and counseling on contraception and follow-up services as well as Medicaid coverage for a twelve (12) month supply for Medicaid recipients. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would enact the Rhode Island individual market affordability act of 2026 to establish a program to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income consumers enrolled in individual health insurance coverage through the Rhode Island health benefits exchange. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that licensed independent clinical social workers be able to enroll and bill Medicaid directly for covered services provided to adults with Medicaid fee-for-service coverage. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Respectfully Requesting The Executive Office Of Health And Human Services (eohhs) To Adopt An Electronic Preadmission Screening And Resident Review (pasrr) System

This act would establish a building energy reporting program for covered residential, nonresidential properties and campuses containing twenty-five thousand (25,000) or more gross square feet. The office of energy resources (OER) shall be responsible for reporting this information to the public in order to provide transparency to the marketplace. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the use of algorithmic pricing by landlords to determine the amount of rent to charge a residential tenant. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow faith-based organizations to develop affordable housing on land they own provided at least 50 % of the housing to be developed is low- or moderate-income housing and the land is owned or held in trust by the faith-based organization. The act would also allow faith-based organizations to request adjustments for uses that support the mission of the faith-based organization, including childcare, education, community service, or small-scale commercial uses. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would set the zoning statewide for “family child care homes” to no fewer than twelve (12) children maximum. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require all motorcycle operators to wear a helmet regardless of age. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the number of members of the state crime laboratory commission from five (5) to nine (9), change the makeup of the commission to include individuals with expertise in law enforcement, expertise in criminal defense, and expertise in scientific research. It would also make the chair of the department of physics at the University of Rhode Island the executive secretary. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that a person arrested for a misdemeanor shall be released without a financial condition unless the misdemeanor is for domestic violence or the court makes a finding on the record that there is a likely risk the arrested person will fail to appear in court or will obstruct justice or attempt to injure or intimidate a witness. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would grant tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. This act would also provide for requests to change locks. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow those persons with multiple felony convictions to file a motion for expungement of all records and records of convictions; provided that, no person who has been convicted of any felony which is considered a crime of violence shall have their records of conviction expunged and convictions for offenses under chapter 29 of title 12 shall not be eligible for and may not be expunged. Motions may be brought after ten (10) years from the date of the completion of their last sentence. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the unfair claims practices law by requiring an insurance appraisal by a licensed appraiser where damage to a motor vehicle exceeds $5,000 (from $2,500) and would eliminate language that prohibits an appraisal based on photos of a damaged motor vehicle. In addition, it would increase the time within which an appraisal must be done, from 3 days to 4 days. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the comprehensive community-police relationship act of 2015 to require an annual study by an outside agency chosen by the department with input from the CCPRA advisory committee on traffic stop and search data related to racial disparities and would require a monthly review and annual reporting by law enforcement agencies statewide on the traffic stop and search data. The act would also create a twelve (12) member CCPRA advisory committee to advise the office of highway safety on all matters pertaining to the committee's duties relating to stop and search data. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that the state use the actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Such information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized in the redistricting process. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that prisoners who committed offenses prior to age eighteen (18) and were sentenced as adults would be eligible for parole after completing fifteen (15) years of their sentence. This act would not lengthen their parole eligibility should the prisoner be eligible for parole earlier than fifteen (15) years. This act would take effect upon passage and shall be given prospective and retroactive effect to all offenses occurring on or after January 1, 1991.

This act would reduce the time for expungements to three (3) years for a single misdemeanor and five (5) years for felonies and multiple misdemeanors. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit employers from seeking or using credit reports in making hiring decisions concerning prospective employees, asking questions about the applicant's financial past during its interviews, or including credit history questions within the applicant's job applications. It would authorize the department of labor and training to impose administrative fines against the offending employer. Finally, it would also allow the aggrieved employee to seek civil financial damages and attorneys' fees. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that exemptions to the prohibition of liquor licenses within two hundred feet (200') of schools or places of worship do not eliminate neighboring property owners’ remonstrance rights to object to the license. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Proclaiming January 27, 2026 To Be “rhode Island Food Insecurity Awareness Day” In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would prohibit the charging of interchange fees on taxes and gratuities. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would enact the Rhode Island Broadband Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026. The act would amend and remove statutory barriers that may prevent Rhode Island from oversight and monitoring of broadband services. The act would also direct the commerce corporation to prepare and submit a plan regarding the creation of broadband oversight authority or a similar structure. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Act. This act would enable students with disabilities who are ages eighteen (18) through twenty- one (21) years, and in some cases to age twenty-two (22) years, to audit and otherwise attend state colleges and universities using the student’s foundation education aid. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would remove clean coal as a renewable fuel given priority as an energy generation project. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit force-feeding to create a force-fed poultry product or the hiring of another to engage in force-feeding of a poultry product. The act would prohibit the sale of a force- fed poultry product or food containing a force-fed poultry product. Any violations would be subject to a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) per violation. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Senate Resolution Requesting The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission To Terminate Gas Line Extension Allowances As Part Of Docket 25-45-ge

This act would provide that funds or monies collected by designated quasi-public corporations or agencies not be subject to transfer or reallocation by order of the governor or general assembly. This act would also mandate that quasi-public corporations limit the use of all funds and property to perform the function or service for which the quasi-public corporation was created and would prohibit the transfer or reallocation of funds held by a quasi-public corporation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exclude portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would impose a wealth tax on Rhode Island individuals and entities at a rate of one percent (1%) of worldwide wealth. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $15,200,000 To Be Used To Purchase Pfas-free Firefighting Gear (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $15,200,000 To Cities And Towns To Purchase Firefighter And Rescue Personnel Protective Gear Which Is Pfas Free.)

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $200,000 To The Rhode Island Free Clinic (appropriates The Sum Of $200,000 To The Rhode Island Free Clinic.)

This act would authorize the secretary of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to increase resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term-care needs who reside at home to $12,000 for single persons and $18,000 for couples. The act would also require that Medicaid certified assisted living facilities and adult day service providers furnish semi-annual reports to the EOHHS regarding the number of persons served each month and patients’ certification categories for the prior six months. This act would take effect upon passage.

Commencing January 1, 2027, this act would mandate insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the state department of health and would mandate the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations. This act would take effect upon passage.

This bill would require health insurance plans to cover services provided by licensed certified professional midwives. Insurers would be required to report utilization and cost data annually and certain limited benefit policies would be exempt. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would require health insurance policies to cover licensed certified lactation counselor services for childbearing families. It would also prohibit requiring supervision or duplicate payments for services and mandates annual reporting. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would prohibit the state, participating ERISA, or any health plan from purchasing referenced drugs for a cost higher than the referenced rate. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the Rhode Island medical assistance program, and any contract between the Rhode Island medical assistance program and a managed care organization, from requiring prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the coverage of a medication classified as an anticonvulsant or antipsychotic. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would sunset and be repealed on December 31, 2029.

This act would require health insurance providers to provide insurance coverage for pharmacists’ services including evaluation and management of a patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and medical decision making; medication therapy management review; immunization education and administration; administration of medications; ordering and evaluation of clinical laboratory tests. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and unless extended by the general assembly, would expire on January 1, 2031.

This act would establish the Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program for the importation of wholesale prescription drugs from Canada to provide savings to Rhode Island consumers. The program would require the designation of a state agency to become a licensed drug wholesaler, or to contract with a licensed drug wholesaler, use of prescription drug suppliers in Canada; ensure that only drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are imported; and import only drugs expected to generate savings; and prohibit the distribution or sale of these drugs outside of Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow parents or guardians to have access to GPS data of the bus or other motor vehicle used to transport students to and from school. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow citizens of a city or town who are at least sixteen (16) years of age to register to vote and to vote in school committee elections in municipalities where school committees are elected entities. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would change the maximum term of employment for a superintendent from three (3) to five (5) years. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit upon certification that the veteran is no longer able to operate a vehicle, the transfer of the plate to the veteran's spouse. Additionally, a disabled veteran license plate may be issued to an eligible veteran or their spouse. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize and empower the department of transportation to plant pollinator friendly native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including state highways. The department would follow guidelines to benefit pollinators consistent with § 23 U.S.C.332. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the public utilities commission (PUC) to provide for a classification of service for retail electricity consumers that are large energy use facilities, defined as a facility that uses or is able to use twenty megawatts (20mw) or more and is primarily engaged in providing a service that is related to businesses offering infrastructure like cloud storage, application hosting (excluding software publishing), data entry services and facilities that process client-supplied data for reports or provide automated services such as optical scanning and disk conversion. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Amending The Joint Resolution Creating A Permanent Legislative Commission On Child Care In Rhode Island (amends The Membership Of The Permanent Legislative Commission On Child Care With Twenty-seven (27) Members To Ensure That The State Has High Quality And Affordable Childcare And Early Learning Services Network.)

This act would authorize the department of environmental management to issue and enforce rules and regulations to implement and enforce the provisions of the food waste ban. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend certain provisions relative to school waste recycling and refuse disposal and would require reports of waste audits by educational entities and reports of program participation by vendors. It would also authorize the use of share tables in schools. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the compost fund to provide funding to the department of environmental management to award grants to assist with the costs of developing, implementing, expanding equipment, infrastructure, and education relating to reducing the amount of solid waste generated in the state. The office of the general treasurer would administer the fund. This act would also establish a municipal waste diversion grant fund administered by the general treasurer to be used for grants to municipalities to advance food waste prevention. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027

This act would exempt from sales tax energy storage systems, as defined in § 39-33-1. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the fiscal year 2026- 2027 budget to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children and youth through investments in out-of-school time (“OST”) settings, as essential, community-based spaces that provide connection, stability, and resilience during a period of heightened need and reduced public supports. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that all kratom products for sale would be stored and kept in a locked case, until sold. This act would take effect April 1, 2026.

This act would establish the Rhode Island Ban on the Corporate Practice of Medicine Act, and the Rhode Island transparency in ownership and control of healthcare facilities act. The act would regulate the ownership of medical practices by unlicensed corporate and other business entities and require reporting of ownership and control of healthcare facilities in the state. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the current law on health insurance coverage for fertility diagnostic care, standard fertility preservation services, and fertility treatment and would require coverage for any medically necessary ovulation-enhancing drugs and medical services related to prescribing and monitoring the use of ovulation-enhancing drugs that is intended to treat infertility and establish a pregnancy that results in a live birth. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would make it an unfair claim practice whenever a dental insurer refuses to honor a “direction to pay” after a request by the claimant or the insured. This act would allow the insurer to review the records of the service provider to verify that the services were received, but prohibits the insurer from modifying the amount of benefits to be paid. This act would not allow a contract between the insurer and a dental service provider requiring the provider to accept payment for services only by virtual credit card. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the secretary of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to monitor and mandate changes to the price-setting practices of pharmacy benefit managers to prohibit the spread pricing payment model. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would limit copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require a report to be produced that focuses on prescription drug prior authorizations by January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Respectfully Urging The United States Congress To Protect Patients And Traditional Medicare From Medicare Advantage

This act would require fair pharmacy reimbursement from a pharmacy benefit manager to a non-affiliated pharmacy or pharmacist and also provide anti-discrimination prohibitions by pharmacy benefit managers in regard to non-affiliated pharmacies or pharmacists. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit health insurance providers from requiring preauthorization for in- network mental health or substance use disorder services. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would limit the use by insurers of step therapy utilization management, a protocol or program that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions. This act would also require insurers to provide the office of the health insurance commissioner with information and documents sufficient to evaluate whether step therapy protocols delay or deny medically necessary care, including utilization and outcome data as required by the commissioner. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the definition of a "household" in the "zoning ordinances" chapter to clarify that the maximum number of unrelated persons living together may be set by local ordinance; however, the maximum shall not be less than one person per bedroom, but may be limited to one person per bedroom up to a five (5) bedroom unit. Units with more than five (5) bedrooms may be limited to five (5) unrelated persons per unit. This act would take effect upon passage.

This article would be known as the Rhode Island Inclusive Home Design Act. The act would address any single-family construction, townhouse construction, and multi-family construction complying with the Standards for Type C (Visitable) Units of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (section 1105 of ICC ANSI A117.1-2017). The act would also require that any updates to the ANSI Standards for Type C (Visitable) Units be applied upon adoption by the building code standards committee. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit any law enforcement agencies in the state from hiring any individual who was hired as a sworn officer of the United States Immigration and Customs enforcement Agency on or after January 20, 2025 and would apply prospectively to an individual hired on or after October 1, 2026. This act would take effect on October 1, 2026

This act would establish a digital electronics right to repair, which would allow for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2027, to be repaired at an independent repair provider. Additionally, this act would require an original equipment manufacturer to make available to any independent repair facility any documentation, parts, and tools required for diagnosis, maintenance, or other repairs. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a pregnant member or a member that has given birth in the past six (6) months to appear remotely to participate in a public body meeting. This act would further permit any member that participates in a meeting remotely to also vote remotely at that meeting, provided that the meeting is held in person. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Congratulating James Parisi On His Retirement After Three Decades Of Exemplary Service As A Lobbyist For The Rhode Island Federation Of Teachers And Health Professionals

Senate Resolution Recognizing February 10th, 2026, As "211 Day" In The State Of Rhode Island And Honoring United Way 211 For Its Service To Rhode Islanders

Senate Resolution Proclaiming February 7th Through The 14th Of 2026, To Be "congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Thomas Joseph Holland

Senate Resolution Recognizing February Of 2026, As "national Children's Dental Health Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would prohibit the use of combustion-based heating for air or water heating in any state or municipal building open to the public constructed, altered or renovated on or after January 1, 2028. Systems for emergency back-up power, or buildings specifically designed for occupancy of a commercial food establishment, laboratory, laundromat, hospital, or crematorium, shall be exempt. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Formally Requesting That The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission To Consider The Creation And Adoption Of A Seasonal Heat Pump Rate As Part Of Docket 25-45-ge

This act would require the executive office of health and human services to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would direct the general assembly to appropriate in the fiscal year 2027 budget, a sum sufficient to fund ten additional full time equivalent ("FTE") positions to be assigned to the department of environmental management (the "department"), and to fund necessary equipment and supplies, with the intent to support and expand the department's efforts in the areas of forests and forestry projects. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would raise the minimum fee per barrel of petroleum products or crude oil from five cents ($0.05) to twelve cents ($0.12) per barrel as part of the uniform oil spill response and prevention fee. Use of the fund would be expanded to support projects and initiatives to reduce emissions and meet the act on climate goals as directed by the executive climate change coordinating council (EC4). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a new tax on gains from the sale or exchange of real property held for short periods of time, six (6) years or less, and would establish a comprehensive framework to calculate and implement its enforcement and also provides penalties for imprisonment and/or fines for those who evade their payment of the taxes. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require as part of the director of administration’s report to the general assembly to include information on the number of hybrid, combustion engine, plug-in hybrid, and ZEV vehicles in the light duty fleet. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit licensed providers to accompany emergency medical services and treat patients within the community for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would limit prior authorization requirements for rehabilitative and habilitative services. This act would prohibit prior authorization for the first twelve (12) visits of a new episode of care and for ninety (90) days following a chronic pain diagnosis. This act would also require that insurers must respond to requests within twenty-four (24) hours, and delays result in automatic approval. This act would further allow retroactive authorization for medically necessary services and provides appeal rights for denied requests. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would include both the MomsPRN and PediPRN teleconsultation lines in the healthcare services funding contributions payable by health insurers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the “Prescription Drug Savings and Transparency Act of 2026.” This act would authorize an independent, comprehensive study by the office of the auditor general to determine whether Rhode Island would benefit from adopting a consolidated prescription drug management program within the Medicaid program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that for insurance coverage for treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, payors would rely upon criteria which reflect generally accepted standards of care when developing coverage for levels of care for mental health treatment. This act would also provide that payors would not modify clinical criteria to reduce coverage for mental health treatment below the level established by the generally accepted standards of care upon which their clinical criteria are based. This act would also provide a definition for the term “generally accepted standards of care.” This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a universal and unified healthcare system and reform the current payment system for healthcare coverage in this state by creating a board and prescribing its powers and duties; prescribing the powers and duties of state, city and town governmental officials and agencies; establishing a fund; providing for the promulgation of rules; and prescribing penalties and remedies. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that routine childhood and adult immunization vaccine recommendations be based on, and developed from, evidence-based, medically sound scientific research by the department of health as well as the Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and other such similar medical professional organizations. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require all major hospitals within the state constructed or substantially renovated or expanded on or after January 1, 2028 to use renewable energy sources for power. The building code standards committee would promulgate rules and regulations to implement the requirements. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require healthcare providers and healthcare facilities to inform patients of the use of artificial intelligence to memorialize patient visits. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require annual inspections of those assisted living residences which contain units licensed to treat residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would limit how landlords use criminal history in rental decisions by delaying background checks until after a conditional offer has been made, restricting which records may be considered, banning discriminatory ads, and provides enforcement and penalties. This act would also provide that applicants denied housing as a result of an alleged violation of this chapter may file a complaint with commission for Human Rights. Landlords that violate the provisions would be liable for a penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the first violation, a second violation penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000) and a third violation of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act to define "assistance animal" and clarify existing protections for persons with such animals consistent with the federal Fair Housing Act; clarify the ability of the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights to accept, investigate, and decide cases alleging discrimination on the basis of "housing status;" make unlawful the issuance of discriminatory notices or statements related to the sale, rental or leasing of housing; and delete a provision in current law prohibiting parties from discussing their fair housing cases publicly. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the rights of adoptive/foster children or those in guardianship, to have post-separation visitation with their sibling(s). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing masks without an exception granted by this act and would impose criminal and civil liability for violations. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Rhode Island firearm industry accountability act of 2026. The act imposes certain requirements on a firearms industry member pertaining to controls, possession, and advertisements of firearm industry products. This act would take effect on October 1, 2026, and would be applicable to any civil action filed on or after October 1, 2026.

This act would permit the family court to retain jurisdiction over juveniles and allow the family court to order juveniles detained in the training school until the age of twenty-one if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend what is considered sexual abuse for purposes of limitations on actions based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child and would amend the provisions for when a cause of action may be brought. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would set the minimum wage for 2027 at twenty dollars ($20) per hour. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would sunset/discontinue the Jobs Development Act rate reduction as of July 1, 2026. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would implement statewide standards concerning minimum requirements for off- street parking, project-based parking, while affording municipalities inherent rights to establish its own requirements, all in conjunction with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the catastrophe savings account act. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026, and would be applicable to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

This act would create a new chapter to protect Rhode Island consumers from coercive tactics at grocery stores. This act would take effect upon passage.

With limited exception, this act would create and impose penalties for covered insurers that fail to comply with its reporting requirements, divestment obligations, and withdrawal restrictions, such as administrative penalties proportional to their statewide market share and profit, restrictions on the insurer's ability to do business within the state, and escalating penalties for repeated noncompliance. This act would also create a structured withdrawal process by which covered insurers would cease doing business within the state upon proper notice to their insureds, public comment, and approval by the director of the department of business regulation (DBR). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would direct the department of elementary and secondary education to provide a two-year pilot program that coordinates a national cultural exchange program for students of this state. This act would also prescribe the requirements of the program and establish a cultural exchange program fund to support the program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require veterinarians to provide consultations to dog or cat owners when a drug is prescribed and dispensed for that animal patient. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would establish the Rhode Island clean heat standards program to implement a system of tradeable clean heat credits earned from the delivery of clean heat measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Compliance of obligated parties with the clean heat standard shall begin by July 1, 2028. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require applications for energy facilities to take into consideration the net- zero mandate contained in the 2021 act on climate and how the facility may advance or delay the greenhouse gas emissions reductions. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a new category of residential solar energy generation for small portable solar generation devices. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the governor, when presenting proposed budget articles for each fiscal year, to set forth the climate considerations that were undertaken to move the state towards the mandated goals set forth in the 2021 Act on Climate. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a tick control program to be implemented by the department of environmental management. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a fifteen (15) member Offshore Wind Procurement Policy Commission to evaluate policies and procurement structures necessary to support the long-term development of offshore wind in Rhode Island, with the goal of procuring one thousand two hundred megawatts (1,200 MW) of offshore wind capacity by 2030. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow Rhode Island based employers to pay a portion of the employee’s student loan debt, if said employee is employed in a high-need profession to address a workforce shortage or critical public need, is committed to working full-time in such profession for two (2) consecutive years in this state, is enrolled in income driven repayment and working in underserved communities. This act would also require annual reporting to the Rhode Island student loan authority (“RISLA”). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would remove the requirement that five percent (5%) of the hotel tax generated from the South County tourism district be paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, and would add that five percent (5%) of the hotel tax to the existing tax paid to the Rhode Island commerce corporation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require Medicaid in this state to provide coverage for fertility diagnostic care, standard fertility preservation services, any medically necessary ovulation-enhancing drugs and medical services related to prescribing and monitoring the use of the ovulation-enhancing drugs for at least three cycles of ovulation-enhancing medication treatment, and intrauterine insemination. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the income limit for eligible families from two hundred sixty-one percent (261%) to two hundred eighty-five percent (285%) of the federal poverty level (FPL) beginning January 1, 2027, and would increase the exit threshold from three hundred percent (300%) to three hundred twenty-five percent (325%). This act would also increase the reimbursement rates for infants by five percent (5%). Section 1 of this act would take effect after January 1, 2027, except for the provisions of § 40-5.2-20(c) which would take effect July 1, 2026. Section 2 of this act would take effect July 1, 2026.

This act would set the allocation rate to be transferred to the Rhode Island public transit authority for 2027 and thereafter at eleven and seventy-five hundredths cents ($0.1175) or 29.375% of the total proceeds, whichever is greater, of which one-half cent ($0.005) per gallon shall be derived from the one cent ($0.01) per gallon environmental protection fee. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed certified professional midwives and to collect utilization and cost data, while allowing limits consistent with Medicaid rules. The executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) would have the authority to submit an amendment to the state plan or seek a waiver to provide this coverage. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require Medicaid to cover services by licensed certified lactation counselors and the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to oversee and implement the program and track related costs and use. It would also ensure reimbursement consistent with similar providers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the monthly minimum death benefit for a spouse, domestic partner or former spouse. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide coverage and increase individual and group insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance services, and would require health insurers to provide coverage for emergency medical service providers administering mobile integrated healthcare community paramedicine. This act would also direct the department of health, in collaboration of the ambulance service coordinating advisory board, to administer a mobile integrated healthcare community paramedicine program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require health insurers to comply with federal mental health parity laws, prevent discriminatory treatment limits, and ensure meaningful mental health and substance use coverage in all benefit classifications. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit a healthcare provider from requiring patients to provide electronic payment information to be kept on file as a condition to receiving treatment. The act would make a violation of this section a deceptive trade practice. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the current law on low-income housing to include moderate-income housing and would eliminate the income percentages used to determine qualifications for low- or moderate-income housing. The act would also add the executive office of housing to the government office that is required to host a database containing rental or sale of residential units. Additionally, the act would require owners of property qualifying as low- or moderate-income housing, to list the property on the database with certain exceptions. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would eliminate existing mandated housing densities for lands used for drinking water as well as density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds and ground water classified as GAA, as defined in ground water regulations. The act would also require that the housing densities not exceed the availability of onsite drinking water supplies, introduce pollution making drinking water unsuitable for use, and stay within the capacity limits of any public water or sewer system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a municipality to set an additional conveyance tax rate of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) for each five hundred dollars ($500), or fractional part of that amount, of the consideration in excess of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000) or such higher amount as adopted by ordinance. This act would also require that the excess conveyance taxes collected alternatively be deposited in a restricted account and distributed within two (2) years, to be used only for affordable housing for individuals or families at or below eighty percent (80%) of the area median income or transferred to state housing agencies for use in the community to develop affordable housing. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide a system for cities, towns and state agencies to designate certain roads, paths and trails as special ways subject to restrictions on paving, widening and clearing. Further, this act would provide that prior to a highway being determined abandoned by a city or town council, a vote must be taken on whether to preserve a public easement. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that the inclusion of affordable housing as part of a development shall provide that the affordable housing will be of comparable size and quality to the market rate housing. If there is a requirement for one or more affordable housing units triggered by the size of a development, the units shall be created. The average cost of developing a single unit of affordable housing would be determined annually based on the average, per unit development cost of affordable homes financed by Rhode Island housing over the previous three (3) years. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would restrict the possession of prohibited firearms. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the automatic expungement of eligible conviction records by operation of law, initiated and completed by state agencies through electronic processes established within the judicial system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend various sections of law relating to campaign contributions and expenditures, including prohibitions on self-dealing with committee funds and would prohibit donations made in fictitious names. This act would also provide that for purposes of the limitations on contributions, all contributions made by political committees established, financed, maintained, or controlled by the same person or the same group of persons shall be considered to have been made by a single political committee. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the child-serving provider liability joint underwriting association to provide a joint underwriting association to provide liability insurance coverage for eligible child serving providers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create an intervenor compensation program to provide compensation in the form of grants for legal fees, expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs to an intervenor in both, energy siting board and public utilities commission proceedings. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require notice to E-ZPass users by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) before reporting toll violators or toll evaders to the division of motor vehicles (DMV) and establish rules and regulations for transponder failures as well as to require outreach and free replacements, and allow mitigation or forgiveness of tolls and penalties from equipment failures. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require owners or landlords who rent shoreline property to provide their tenants, before the start of the tenancy, with a detailed, written disclosure regarding public shoreline access rights. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would name the India Point Park Overpass pedestrian bridge as the "Joseph M. Lima Overpass" to honor the former Deputy Majority Leader's legislative achievements and his lifelong dedication to the Portuguese-American community. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the green buildings act commission to consist of seventeen (17) members, responsible for the implementation of the green buildings act in consultation with the state building office, building code commission of the Rhode Island department of business regulation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and muscle-building supplements to minors in Rhode Island and require age verification, restricted access, and civil penalties for violations. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit public utilities, serving greater than one hundred thousand (100,000) customers from recovering through rates any direct or indirect cost associated with, amongst other costs, advertising, marketing, communications, or public education that seek to influence public opinion, including any costs associated with activities such as research, analysis, preparation or planning undertaken in support of advertising, marketing, communications, or public education, or any other related costs identified by the commission. The act would also place a three percent (3%) cap on increases to its total capital spending budget. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that no new charter school application shall be granted, if the proposed school is a network charter school or the expansion of an existing charter school would create a network charter school. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would update the description of the early intervention program and the agency responsible for the program under Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Furthermore, the act would direct the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to increase Medicaid rates for early intervention service providers by the amount recommended in the 2025 rate review and require that the office maintain and regularly update the existing early intervention data dashboard on a public website. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the Beverage Container Recycling Act. This act would establish a comprehensive program providing for deposits on and recycling of beverage containers. This program would be administered and overseen by the department of environmental management. This act would also provide for the assessment of penalties on producers and recycling refund producer responsibility organizations who fail to meet certain performance targets. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities that choose to participate. Reports would be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and would be submitted to the department of environmental management. Sections 1 and 4 of this act would take effect upon passage, and sections 2 and 3 would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would modernize the state’s existing online E-Permitting Portal by requiring automated plan review and instant permits issuance for residential solar energy systems or other eligible small-scale solar energy systems that meet all safety and building codes. It would also authorize remote virtual inspections as a valid practice for typical rooftop residential installations in an effort to reduce administrative costs for Rhode Island’s municipalities, businesses, and consumers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow local government recipients of grant funds from the Rhode Island infrastructure bank's OSCAR fund, Rhode Island infrastructure fund, and municipal resilience program to use monies for insurability planning. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the state and private health insurers to reimburse claims for healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the same amount as the reimbursement paid to a physician performing the service in the area served. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would provide for penalties for tax preparers that purposefully mislead their clients or act as ghost preparers of tax returns and would require the tax administrator to publish a list of tax preparers who have had their privileges to prepare returns revoked or suspended. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a publicly funded program for uninsured individuals requiring an appropriation of fifty-three million two hundred thousand dollars ($53,200,000) for fiscal year 2027 and an appropriation of one hundred nine million, six hundred thousand dollars ($109,600,000) for fiscal year 2028 and every fiscal year thereafter. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that the state’s share to support public library services in fiscal year 2027 be fixed at twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated and expended by the city or town in the second preceding fiscal year. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would submit the state's 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026. Sections 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 of this act would take effect upon passage. The remaining sections of this act would take effect when and if the state board of elections shall certify to the secretary of state that a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition contained in section 1 hereof have indicated their approval of the project thereunder.

This act would establish a child tax credit in the amount of three hundred thirty dollars ($330) for eligible taxpayers adjusted for inflation annually commencing January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would appropriate two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($2,700,000) to fund the primary care training sites program to provide training for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants within the department of health. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would permit children with diagnosed developmental disabilities whose third birthday is between May 1 and August 31 to continue to receive early intervention services through September 1 after the child’s third birthday. Further, this act would direct the EOHHS to develop and implement a plan to ensure continuity of services and minimize gaps in support as children with services transition to early childhood special education. Additionally, this act would require private health insurers to cover this extended early intervention option. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would define food and food supplies for the purposes of Rhode Island general laws title 37 public property and works chapter 2 state purchases. This act would further allow for the procurement of food and food supplies not exceeding an aggregate amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to be made in accordance with small purchase regulations promulgated by the chief purchasing officer. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would mandate DCYF protection for benefits owed to foster children, such as: (1) Eligibility screening for federal benefits; (2) Applying for benefits; (3) Conserving benefits while assisting the child into adulthood, living independently; (4) Providing financial information; (5) Providing financial literacy training and support; and (6) Providing annual reports to the general assembly and concerned parties. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would add the First Connections family home-visiting program as a provider under the statute and change the department of health’s annual reporting requirements regarding family home-visiting programs. This act would also direct the executive office of health and human services to increase Medicaid rates for early intervention service providers by the amount recommended in the 2025 rate review, appropriate the minimum amount of general revenue to access the maximum amount of federal MIECHV funds and direct the department to spend all available federal funds. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $500,000 To Sojourner House In Rhode Island (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $500,000 To Sojourner House To Support Its Permanent Housing Development Program That Provides Safe, Secure Housing To Individuals And Families Fleeing From Dangerous Situations.)

This act would authorize pharmacists to order, perform and interpret CLIA-waived tests authorized by statewide protocol and prescribe medications. This act would further permit for such test-and-treat authority to be covered by all health insurance carriers. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would allow patients to authorize providers to email medical notes or records, require written consent acknowledging risks, and ensure compliance with HIPAA while expanding delivery options beyond fax or in-person pickup. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require hospital emergency rooms and free-standing emergency care facilities to offer and provide pregnancy prevention medication to victims of sexual assault. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the department of elementary and secondary education or the department of health to develop and implement policies to allow students diagnosed with asthma, a condition that may lead to bronchospasm or anaphylaxis, or both, to carry and self-administer asthma medication or auto-injectable or intranasal epinephrine, or both. This act would further provide immunity to any school teacher, school administrator, or school healthcare personnel, school bus driver, school bus monitor, or any other school personnel for civil damages which may result from the administration of such medications. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would create a new license for eyelash service technicians, require permits for eyelash businesses, establish training and exam standards, authorize RIDOH enforcement and fines, and impose five hundred dollar ($500) penalties for unlicensed practice. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would create a Rhode Island specialty license for physician assistants who earn the NCCPA psychiatry CAQ, formally recognizing advanced behavioral health qualifications and supporting appropriate insurance reimbursement. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the department of health to implement a tobacco control program that incorporates evidence-based best practices for tobacco prevention and cessation to prevent tobacco-related diseases and diminish tobacco use in the state. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow electronic notifications modernize language for notifications, synchronize renewal dates for certain license-types, streamline licensing requirements across several license-types, and update the unlicensed health care practices statute. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow foreign-trained dentists and dental hygienists to obtain limited licenses if they graduate from reputable dental colleges or universities, work under a supervising dentist, and pass a board-approved exam. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the state, and private insurers that cover prescription hormone therapy, to dispense twelve (12) months’ worth of the prescription as a single prescription. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would expand the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements. This act would also remove the definition of “collaborative practice committee”. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would increase continuing medical education requirements for physician assistants to fifty (50) hours biannually. The act also would remove restrictions of physician assistants to render charitable care provided they have liability coverage; permit physician assistants to render aid under The School and Youth Programs Concussion Act and “The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act; and remove restrictive covenants and non-compete agreements. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the “Embryo Safety and Storage Act of 2025.” The act would require the department of health to regulate and license embryo storage facilities. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This bill would require the executive office of health and human services to provide self- measured blood pressure monitoring for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals, covering home monitors, training, data transmission, and co-interventions, with state funds if federal aid is unavailable. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require certain healthcare facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the healthcare facility, subject to the following restrictions including: requiring a patient to provide the healthcare facility with an ID and a copy of their medical marijuana card or written documentation that the use of medicinal cannabis is recommended by a physician, and requiring a healthcare facility to restrict how a patient stores and uses medicinal cannabis to ensure the safety of other patients, guests, and employees of the healthcare facility. The act would also provide that compliance with the bill would not be a condition for obtaining, retaining, or renewing a license as a healthcare facility. The act would authorize a healthcare facility to suspend compliance with these provisions if a federal agency takes specified actions. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a twenty-seven (27) member joint commission to study ways to maximize revenue for child welfare and children’s behavioral health services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would add new sections which set forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation drug therapies, including education approved by the state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies pharmacists’ services for cessation therapies would be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a food-as-medicine pilot program and task force to be administered by the executive office of health and human services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow for a tenant to withhold payment of rent and deposit the rent accruing into an escrow bearing account, upon the issuance of a second notice of violation by an enforcing officer for any state or local minimum housing code enforcement agency. The amount shall be equal to the rent the tenant was entitled to as an abatement of rent. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would preclude any legal entity from possessing, controlling or otherwise claiming legal title to real property exceeding an aggregate value of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) in single-family dwellings or multi-family dwellings. This act would require any legal entity that possesses, controls or otherwise claims legal title to real property exceeding an aggregate value of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) in single-family dwellings or multi- family dwellings, to divest a graduated yearly amount from assets consisting of single-family dwellings or multi-family dwellings over the next ten (10) years, until the total aggregate value held by that legal entity is less than or equal to twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000). This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would establish the Residential and Commercial Property Acquisition Program Act to implement residential or commercial property acquisitions, in high-hazard zones, paired with funding for relocation costs within or proximate to the current community and restore the acquired land to its natural habitat and use it to enhance shoreline or riverine access and outdoor recreation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide revolving funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Study Current Condominium Law And Provide Recommendations For Improvements To Transparency, Accountability And Ongoing Affordability Of Condominiums In Rhode Island (creates A 16-member Commission To Study Current Condominium Law And Provide Recommendations For Improvements, And Who Would Report Back To The General Assembly By December 31, 2027, And Would Expire On March 15, 2028.)

This act would change the definition of employee to include individuals employed in the domestic service of any person. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow the dismissal of a teacher after the March 1 deadline if there is gross misconduct by a teacher upon a student. This act would allow the notice to be given at any time and will not have time constraints. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit the Rhode Island Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness, in consultation with the Rhode Island Bar Association and its Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to appoint a qualified individual to serve as the new or replacement member of the Judicial Nominating Commission if the members with expired terms are not replaced via the normal process. It would also require the commission to provide a public forum relative to adopting rules and procedures, would require judicial candidates to disclose political donations and require the commission to broadcast, via the internet, each open meeting and to maintain an archive of each recording. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that the chief judge of the family court in appointing magistrates do so in accordance with the judicial selection and nomination process set forth in chapter 16.1 of title 8. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Study And Provide Recommendations For Juvenile Hearing Boards (creates A 19 Member Special Legislative Study Commission Whose Purpose It Would Be To Study Current Practices Of State And Municipal Juvenile Hearing Boards Established Pursuant To §§ 8-10-23.1 Or 8-10-23.2.)

This act would require the judicial nominating commission to establish a standardized merit-based selection process that includes an initial blind review of applications prior to any interview or public hearing and that applicants be evaluated according to uniform, job-related criteria adopted in advance and published on the commission’s website. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a system of ranked choice voting whenever a municipality's charter amendment is approved by its voters. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would require the police officers' commission on standards and training to provide training and instructions for police detectives, police officers and trainees in order to more accurately identify complaints involving traumatized youth and to develop law enforcement responses in dealing with youth suffering from trauma relating to an incident necessitating a response by law enforcement officers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require any shooting range operating in this state to post signs in any area in which shooting occurs that contain the following language: “WARNING: If you or a loved one is experiencing distress and/or depression, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline or text “HOME” to 741741” and the signs would not contain any other text. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a party to condition a transaction by electronic means on their stated desire to obtain and receive a written copy of the document in English or Spanish before electronic execution of the agreement or performance is required of the party. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a process for an individual to voluntarily be either temporarily or indefinitely added to a list restricting their rights to purchase or possess firearms as well as to request removal from the restricted list. The act would further require that all individual records related to the person's inclusion on the list would be destroyed and not subject to the access to public records act. Additionally, the act would also impose a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fine for firearm possession by a person on a restricted list and make it a misdemeanor for adding or attempting to add a person to either restricted list without their knowledge. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the division of civil representation within the department of housing and require a designated legal organization to provide legal representation to all tenants who qualify in eviction proceedings. The act would also provide that notice of a tenant’s right to legal representation be included in all residential landlord/tenant complaint forms and that any attempt to waive that right in a lease would be void. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that residential landlords of six (6) or more dwelling units hold their tenants' security deposits in interest-bearing federally insured deposit accounts minus written accounting deducting allowable amounts due to the landlord and, within twenty (20) days of the end of the tenancy, any remaining interest accrued shall be paid to the tenant. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the restrictive housing oversight committee ("committee") for the purpose of monitoring the use of restrictive housing ("solitary confinement"), as well as disciplinary and administrative confinement at the department of corrections. This act would also authorize the committee to hire an ombudsperson to assist it in its oversight duties. This act would take effect on July 25, 2026.

This act would provide that advanced practice registered nurses have the same immunity from liability as physicians under the mental health law. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Of Qualification For Office (proposes A State Constitutional Amendment To Provide No Person Could Hold Office As General Officer Unless That Person Was A Resident And A Registered Voter In The State Of Rhode Island For At Least 2 Years, Continuously, Prior To Taking Office.)

This act would make several amendments to the cannabis act relating to applications for licensure, the social equity assistance program and the application of cannabis tax revenue. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit the expungement of records 5 years after the imposition of sentence for misdemeanors and 10 years after the imposition of sentence for felonies, and if the sentence is greater than 10 years, then, upon successful completion of the sentence. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal provisions which allow the department of corrections to charge inmates for phone calls and would require the department of corrections to provide free communication services to inmates and juveniles held in residential placement or detention centers. This act also would require that those facilities provide in-person contact visits. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault reporting forms by law enforcement agencies, enhance the information to be included on the reporting forms, and clarify that the reporting forms should be submitted monthly, or as soon as practicable upon receipt of all relevant information regarding an incident subject to reporting. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that any contractor performing any construction or maintenance for RIDOT, RITBA or any other construction on any state roads have in place an attenuator truck/crash truck with an operational camera. Violators may be punished criminally and be barred from performing work on any state project for up to 5 years. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would require licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Senate Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Study Shared Services And The Potential For Regionalization Of School Districts In The State Of Rhode Island (creates A 9 Member Commission To Study Shared Services And The Potential For Regionalization Of School Districts, And Who Would Report Back To The Senate By April 15, 2027, And Whose Life Would Expire Once Its Report Is Issued.)

This act would require that the names of any non-teacher school employees who are terminated for good and just cause, be furnished to the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education. The department would maintain a list of the names and the good cause for the termination. This list would not be a public document, but would be available to hiring authorities of schools and school districts. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create multiple chapters to provide and establish a comprehensive program for recycling of beverage containers and extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, after the completion of an implementation analysis by the department of environmental management, which would be the lead department in overseeing, implementing, and enforcing the provisions of this act. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require insurers to develop plans for coverage and access to nonnarcotic, nonopioid and nonmedication pain management for moderate to severe pain. This act would further restrict utilization review for nonopioid drugs. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the number of state childcare licensing inspectors to meet the national recommended average of one inspector for every fifty (50) to sixty (60) childcare providers. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Make A Comprehensive Study Of Rhode Island's Healthcare Workforce Related To Educating And Retaining Primary Care Providers (creates A 17-member Commission To Study Rhode Island’s Healthcare Workforce Related To Educating And Retaining Primary Care Providers And Who Would Report Back Annually To The President Of The Senate.)

This act would establish the framework to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island and provide an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that reimbursement rates for licensed mobile response and stabilization services be equal to or greater than the prevailing integrated state Medicaid rate for mobile response and stabilizations services as established by EOHHS. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make several technical amendments to the Rhode Island secure choice retirement savings program act necessary for continued administration and inter-state partnership. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit a healthcare entity from unilaterally modifying amending or reinterpreting any material term or condition of a contact with a healthcare provider during the term of such contact. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would charge the office of the health insurance commissioner to incorporate uncompensated care as a formula-driven numeric adjustment in the methodology used to establish any affordability standard or rate cap, applicable to hospital contracts, commencing January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that roads located within the Quonset Business Park be under the control of the Quonset Development Corporation who shall have the sole authority relating to the care and maintenance of roads, freeways and bridges designated as QDC public roads. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Celebrating March Of 2026, As "national Social Work Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would establish guidelines, rules and regulations for the implementation and expansion of high-quality public prekindergarten education programs for children ages three (3) and four (4) to increase children’s school readiness and to ensure high quality prekindergarten services are available statewide and coordinated together by the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of human services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the historic tax credit to thirty percent (30%) of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures; provided that, at least eighty percent (80%) of the total rental area of the certified historic structure would be made available for multi-family housing. This act would further increase the tax credit to thirty-five percent (35%); provided that, at least eighty percent (80%) of the total rental area of the certified historic structure would be made available for multi- family housing in which twenty percent (20%) of rental units would constitute affordable rental units, or ten percent (10%) of available units would be sold as affordable housing. This act would take effect on upon passage.

This act would authorize the secretary of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to increase resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term care needs who reside at home to $12,000 for single persons and $18,000 for couples. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would impose a wealth proceeds tax equal to four percent (4%) on net investment income, such as interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, capital gains and rental income, of high- income households, estates and trusts, based upon federal guidelines. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would not be applied retroactively.

This act would create a state program to provide loans, grants, or investments to convert existing buildings into multi-family or mixed-use housing, including adaptive reuse projects. It requires a share of units to be affordable and sets labor, wage, and apprenticeship standards for larger projects. It also establishes a dedicated fund, oversight, and reporting, and sunsets the program after 2035. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit the town council of the town of New Shoreham to enact an ordinance that limits a license holder from renting or leasing more than thirty-four (34) motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles. This act would further authorize no more than five (5) licenses for the rental of any motorized bicycle, motor scooter and/or motorized tricycle, and reduce that number by one following the voluntary surrender, expiration without renewal, revocation, or other retirement of any license. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make a series of amendments and add new provisions of law to address business identity theft and deceptive solicitations sent to businesses and the unauthorized formation of entities. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would prohibit the operation of any thermal waste conversion facility such as pyrolysis within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Creating A Special Joint Legislative Commission To Study Sludge Management In Rhode Island (that A Special Joint Legislative Commission Be Created Consisting Of 21 Members And Report Its Findings And Recommendations To The General Assembly No Later Than April 1, 2027, And Said Commission Expires On June 1, 2027.)

Senate Resolution Recognizing April 2026 As "out-of-school Time Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF NARRAGANSETT TO FINANCE THE EQUIPPING, EXPANSION, IMPROVEMENT AND RENOVATION OF FIRE STATIONS IN THE TOWN OF NARRAGANSETT AND TO ISSUE NOT MORE THAN $3,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR

This act would promote fiscal integrity, transparency, and accountability in the state’s healthcare system by mandating that the reporting covered health entities identified therein submit quarterly financial reports to the secretary to facilitate the regular and timely assessment of their financial soundness and identify any entities that may be facing financial risks with the potential to affect the overall stability of the state’s healthcare system, equitable access to high-quality and affordable services, and the goals of the statewide health planning process. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would strengthen enforcement of the state's pharmacy audit law by clarifying and tightening audit procedures to ensure pharmacy audits are conducted fairly and transparently. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Jeannette D. Alyward

Senate Resolution Supporting "period Poverty Awareness Week" On May 11-17, 2026, In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Directing The Department Of Environmental Management To Work With The Town Of New Shoreham To Develop A Regulatory Framework To Reduce Tick-borne Illness On Block Island

Senate Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Make A Comprehensive Study Of Rhode Island's Healthcare Workforce Related To Educating And Retaining Primary Care Providers

Senate Resolution Proclaiming And Acknowledging June Of 2026 As "portuguese American Heritage Month" In The State Of Rhode Island