Brian J Thompson

This act would remove the licensing exemption for a lender that originates less than six (6) loans in twelve (12) consecutive months. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution To Approve, Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution -- Right To An Adequate Education (amends The Constitution To Guarantee Rhode Island Residents With Equal Opportunity To Receive An Education That Is Adequate, Equitable And Meaningful And Provides Judicial Enforcement Of This Provision.)

This act would increase the net taxable estate exemption to three million six hundred thousand dollars ($3,600,000) on January 1, 2027. This act would also increase the exemption by one million dollars ($1,000,000) on January 1, 2028, and every year thereafter until this section and the tax would sunset and expire on January 1, 2033. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would change the gross pay amount a retired teacher or state employee certified to teach drivers education could earn as a part-time income by the department of education or by the board of governors of higher education for the purpose of providing classroom instruction in driver education courses to $25,000 from $15,000. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 prohibit an insurance company from imposing any cost-sharing requirements for any diagnostic or supplemental breast examinations. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would require that accessory dwelling units be allowed by right only if the property is owner-occupied and has been so occupied for at least five (5) years. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would cap the size of accessory dwelling units to nine hundred square feet (900 sq. ft.) for one bedroom units and one thousand square feet (1,000 sq. ft.) for two (2) bedroom units. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require owners of accessory dwelling units that are not occupied by family members be permitted to charge only affordable rental rates. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a minor between fourteen (14) and seventeen (17) years of age who does not have a permanent residence or is in the custody of the department of children, youth and families to receive a state identification card without a signature from a parent, guardian or foster parent at no cost as well as a certified copy of the minor's birth certificate. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a program within the adult correctional institutions to permit medication for opioid use disorder approved by the FDA to be provided for the treatment of an opioid use disorder to any individual incarcerated. Each inmate would be screened for opioid use disorder within twenty-four (24) hours of incarceration and if determined to be suffering from an opioid use disorder would be offered placement in the medication for opioid use disorder program. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would mandate arming campus police at public higher educational institutions and would include campus police in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for the purposes of the "law enforcement officers' bill of rights". This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would change the community service requirements of a sentence related to the violation of § 11-44-21.1 relating to defacing private residences, offices, businesses or commercial property. Every person convicted of a first and second offense under this section would be required to perform not less than forty (40) hours and not more than one hundred (100) hours cleaning and remediating graffiti vandalism on state or local properties. Every person convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this section would be required to perform not less than forty (40) hours and not more than three hundred (300) hours of community service cleaning and remediating graffiti vandalism on state or local properties. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Patricia Allen

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Alma C. Boisseau

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Florian L. Bourget

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Thomas F. Lepore

Senate Resolution Expressing Deepest Condolences On The Passing Of George G. Cournoyer

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of John Earl Gray

Senate Resolution Expressing Condolences On The Passing Of Maryann Jolicoeur

Senate Resolution Expressing Deepest Condolences On The Passing Of The Honorable Scott Bill Hirst

This act would create postsecondary tuition assistance for shortage teaching fields which are defined as subject areas or teacher certifications that are experiencing a critical lack of educators in the state such as any sciences grades seven (7) through twelve (12) and any mathematics grades seven (7) through twelve (12). Recipients of tuition assistance would have to be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment at a Rhode Island postsecondary institution in a program to become a teacher in a shortage field and complete at least three (3) years of full-time teaching in a shortage teaching field in this state. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow all retired police officers and firefighters to receive an additional retirement allowance, equal to the members' accrued benefit, determined pursuant to this section as of June 30, 2026, plus two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the final compensation amount multiplied by the years of service after June 30, 2026. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship. 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 afford an option for police and firefighters to receive retirement allowances, without reduction, who seek retirement after twenty (20) years of service, upon reaching age fifty- seven (57). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would modify the real estate sales disclosure form to include the disclosure of “blower door diagnostic air leakage testing” and advise that air leakage testing is recommended prior to purchasing a residential unit. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make it unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways, while knowingly having liquor or intoxication beverages in any form in containers, opened or unopened, in any part of the vehicle, except when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or another adult who is 21 years of age or older and related, whether by blood, adoption, or marriage, to the operator. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit participation in the federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that notice of a judgment lien be sent within ten (10) business days of the recording of the lien. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would allow animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and would include them as agents authorized to enforce the provisions of this section. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make sexual contact or penetration between any law enforcement officer that is on duty and a person that is a detainee, arrestee, in custody or a suspect during questioning, a felony. 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.

Under current law, employers are not obligated to pay overtime to their executive, administrative, and professional employees who are compensated through salary rather than hourly wages, unless the salary of such employees would, if calculated according to a 40-hour work week, fall below the state’s current minimum wage. This act would raise that cut-off and make additional salaried employees non-exempt and therefore eligible for overtime pay, by requiring small employers with one to fifty (1-50) employees and large employers with fifty (50) or more employees, to pay overtime wages to currently exempt workers, if their salary falls below a threshold based upon multipliers of minimum hourly wage, for a forty (40) hour workweek. For example, for the year 2027, the multiplier would be one and one-half (1½) times the minimum hourly wage for a forty (40) hour workweek for small employers with less than fifty (50) employees and two (2) times the minimum hourly wage for a forty (40) hour workweek for large employers with more than fifty (50) employees, resulting in overtime entitlement for more employees. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide for the right to strike for public sector workers in Rhode Island, including teachers, with exceptions for police officers, firefighters, 911 employees, and correctional officers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal the law that prevents a collective bargaining agreement covering state employees, public school teachers and municipal employees from specifying a particular healthcare provider in it. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a special license plate for the charity Real Access Motivates Progress, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This act would take effect six (6) months after passage.

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

This act would require the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency and the Rhode Island commerce commission to develop and implement a plan to assist businesses in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would strengthen consumer protections by including definitions related directly to deceptive trade practices inherent in the insurance claim process. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would expand various definitions relative to contractors, home inspectors, and claim adjusters to provide clarity regarding licensed and unlicensed vendors, consultants, or third- party representatives. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 amend the composition of the Rhode Island school safety committee by adding an additional member who is a representative from the Rhode Island School Resource Officer Association. 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.

This act would allow a modification to federal adjusted gross income for all social security income for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the auditor general to conduct performance audits of all state agencies. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $3,000,000 To The Rhode Island Food Bank (this Resolution Would Authorize The Appropriation Of The Sum Of $3,000,000 To The Rhode Island Food Bank.)

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 authorize an annual two and one-half percent (2.5%) escalation for all active and retired police and firefighter's retirement pension allowance, compounded each year on January 1 following the year of retirement and continuing yearly, on that date. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would eliminate the estate tax in Rhode Island. 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.

Joint Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Study Safe Staffing Ratios In Hospitals (creates A 15-member Joint Commission To Study And Provide Recommendations Regarding Safe Staffing Ratios In Hospitals, And Who Would Report Back To The General Assembly By September 1, 2027, And Expire On January 30, 2028.)

This act would permit every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to twenty percent (20%) of assessed value on residential properties, and would also provide that municipalities that grant greater exemptions would not be limited by this section. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend Rhode Island's standard fire insurance policy by codifying uniform, transparent appraisal procedures and payment obligations that reflect contemporary claim-handling practices while preserving long-standing consumer protections. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would restore the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request. The act also clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for said units are granted. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal the provisions of chapter 45.1 of title 11, regarding unreasonable noise levels. This act would also provide that cities and towns would have the power to establish, by ordinance, standards for the control of noise originating within the municipality. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit non-sworn public safety officers and security guards at private colleges and universities, to detain individuals within the campus jurisdiction, when the officer or guard has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed a criminal offense. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a school safety plan that would provide for immediate access to school facilities by first responders in an emergency. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the local board to publish early voting dates, hours, and location, at least twice in a newspaper of general circulation within the city or town, and to publish the same on the municipality's website for the duration of the in-person early voting period. This act would permit the substitution of advertising the voter registration deadline in a newspaper by posting notice of designation(s) on the municipality's website, continuously, for at least ten (10) consecutive days leading up to the last day prescribed by law for the receiving of voter registrations. This act would require the local board to publish local ballot questions on its website for 25 consecutive days, and to authorize the substitution of newspaper advertisements if a jurisdiction- wide household mailing containing the same information is instead sent. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the sentences for carrying a stolen firearm when committing a crime of violence and for possessing a stolen firearm and would require that a person convicted of these offenses serve a period of time in which they would not be eligible for parole or probation. Penalties would increase for second and subsequent offenses. 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 prohibit defendants who are serving probation for driving under the influence death resulting from earning good time off their probationary period. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would criminalize and set mandatory minimum sentences for the unlawful interference with traffic upon the federal and state highways of this state. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the penalty for cruelty to animals, first offense, from eleven months to twelve months incarceration. 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 make it a misdemeanor to knowingly file a false report of misconduct of any law enforcement official, public safety official, or hospital staff. 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 strengthen consumer protections in insurance claims by expanding definitions of unfair claims settlement practices as well as clarifying an insured’s right to pursue bad-faith remedies. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would strengthen consumer protections in insurance claims by improving the fairness and timeliness of arbitration and appraisal proceedings, and preventing insurers from delaying or obstructing the dispute resolution process by allowing the court to resolve appraisal and arbitration disputes to provide an equitable remedy to the aggrieved party. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 make a first offense of possessing a large capacity feeding device a misdemeanor and subsequent offenses felonies. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would expand the deinstitutionalization subsidy aid program in the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals to include adoptive parents(s) or sibling(s), and would allow such adoptive parent(s) or sibling(s) to care for a child or adult if the parent was unable to do so. This act would also allow such adoptive parent(s) or sibling(s) who are providing care to receive a subsidy through the aid program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make an assault upon a sports official during and in the course of their official duties a felony. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would clarify the role of a corporation electing to be governed as a workers' cooperative to allow it to operate as a hiring hall under certain circumstances. This act would also designate that workers furnished by a workers’ cooperative corporation would be considered independent contractors, and the workers’ cooperative with the respect to those workers would be exempt from the requirements that to the extent that a workers’ cooperative has stakeholders (owners) who are employees (members), the workers’ cooperative would be subject to the provisions of title 28 related to employees including, but not limited to: department of labor and training payroll taxes, temporary disability insurance, state unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that public meetings involving collective bargaining agreements of school teachers shall be open to the public. This act would take effect upon passage.

Effective January 1, 2028, this act would increase the hourly minimum wage in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region for the previous four (4) fiscal years. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that before any fire fighter or police officer is eligible to receive benefits for an illness or injury sustained while off duty, that they prove they had reasonable grounds to believe that an emergency existed that required immediate need of their assistance. 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.

This act would expand the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow retired state employees to be reemployed by a municipality with no restrictions and with no loss of their existing retirement benefits. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would reduce the cigarette tax imposed by seventy-five percent (75%) for any modified risk tobacco product as defined in § 21 U.S.C. 387K as a tobacco product sold or distributed to reduce the harm or risk of tobacco-related disease associated with commercially marketed tobacco products. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would add probation officers and parole officers to the definition of "police officer" for purposes of salary payments during line of duty illness or injury. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the tax administrator to waive interest and penalties on delinquent taxes paid in full during a one week amnesty period. This act would reinstate a suspended driver’s license upon payment in full. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds. This act would merge the auditor general and office of internal audit and program integrity into the office of inspector general. This act would take effect 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. 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.

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 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 make offenses against gift card holders subject to the penalties for larceny. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require public auctions by any city or town of real estate or an interest therein to only be done in person and not by electronic or remote procedures unless authorized by court order. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require all requests for public records to sufficiently identify information to permit verification of the requester’s identity and would allow the public body to communicate regarding the request. This act would not allow for anonymous public records requests. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that a person over the age of eighteen (18) years can purchase and possess a stun gun or electronic dart gun and also prohibits the sale of a stun gun or electronic dart gun to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years. It would also criminalize the use of a stun gun or electronic dart gun in any criminal offense or the use of a stun gun or electronic dart gun against any police officer engaged in the execution of their duty. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make it a felony to file a false police report of a crime carrying a sentence of imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years, and would carry a sentence of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five (5) years for filing such false report. This act would further make it a felony to file a false police report of a crime carrying a sentence of imprisonment of twenty (20) years or more, and would carry a sentence of imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years for filing such false report. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the sentences, fines or both for § 31-27-1 ("driving so as to endanger, resulting in death") and § 31-27-1.1 ("driving so as to endanger, resulting in personal injury"). This act would also repeal the enhancement of the punishments for subsequent offenses of § 31-27-2.2 ("driving under the influence, resulting in death") and § 31-27-2.6 ("driving under the influence, resulting in serious bodily injury") and would replace the enhancement of punishments with an amended single range of sentences, fines or both. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that the license plates of a vehicle be impounded by a law enforcement officer if the owner was arrested for driving while their license was suspended, revoked or cancelled for refusing to submit to a chemical test or for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a narcotic drug or intoxicating liquor and would allow temporary substitute plates if the court determines such impoundment of license plates would cause undue hardship to dependents of offender. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would recognize that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and would establish new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors would include comparisons of wages and hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs. This act would also grant the arbitrators power to render an award over all negotiated matters, including the expenditure of money. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a maximum hourly workday for all peace officers as defined in § 12-7-21 and would establish a violation rate of pay of double time and a half. This act would take effect upon passage.

This would allow the dependents of a national guard member, who is in good standing, to be eligible for tuition assistance. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide protocols for radon inspection relative to real estate transactions and provides time frames and conditions for testing and mitigation. This act would take effect on June 1, 2027.

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 permit, on and after July 1, 2027, for an insurer to consider the zip code in which the vehicle is garaged; provided that, the calculation of the zip code is segmented by the municipality where the vehicle is garaged. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the application of lawn care pesticides or rodenticides on the grounds of any public or private pre-school or public or private school with students in grade twelve (12) or lower, except in an emergency situation or to be used on the playing fields and playgrounds of the school as well as pre-schools and child care centers pursuant to an integrated pest management plan as developed by the department of environmental management and the department of health and would create a task force to study health risks of PFAS in athletic fields to students who use them. This act would also require a school department to provide a copy of the pesticide or rodenticide application notice sent to parents and guardians to the department of education. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish the first-time home buyer savings program fund for first-time home buyers. This act would allow modifications to federal adjusted gross income for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in contributions and one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) of interest and dividends. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would add probation and parole officers to the list of state law enforcement professionals, for purpose of retirement on service allowance. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would allow the waiver of interest on overdue taxes for commercial properties. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that adjunct faculty members at any state college or university who teach at least fifty percent (50%) of the hours regularly worked by full-time faculty in an academic semester would be eligible for the same state hospital care and surgical-medical service benefit as other full-time state employees. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the state to implement the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact no later than July 1, 2026. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make traffic accident data a public record, subject to federal law. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would define squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not a party to a rental agreement, not a periodic tenant or is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the dwelling unit or structure. A person found guilty of squatting would be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both. The act would also provide certain remedies for a property owner or landlord including seeking police assistance to remove and arrest a squatter. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the section of law relative to violations for driving after denial, revocation or suspension of a license and would expand the list of offenses for which an unlicensed motorist would be in violation. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require verification of an applicant's date of birth and either a Rhode Island driver's license number or state identification number on all applications seeking mail ballots and emergency mail ballots. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow automatic voter registration for Rhode Islanders applying for hunting and fishing licenses, like the procedures in effect for applicants to the division of motor vehicles. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the penalties for reckless driving from a misdemeanor first offense to a felony, with a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of between one thousand dollars ($1,000) and five thousand dollars ($5,000). 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.

This act would greatly expand the obligations of employers to create, maintain and retain their employees' personnel records. It would also require that records be retained for at least three (3) years after the employee's termination. It also significantly increases the financial penalties for each violation, from fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) to three thousand dollars ($3,000). This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act, beginning on July 1, 2026, would allow state union employees to negotiate longevity payments in their collective bargaining agreements. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a maximum hourly workday for all peace officers as defined in § 12-7-21 and would establish a violation rate of pay of double time and a half. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would add the governor’s commission on disabilities to the list of participants of the disability parking enforcement program. Additionally, beginning January 1, 2027 the disability parking enforcement program shall submit an annual report to the governor’s commission on disabilities. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would recognize the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe as a Native American Indian tribe for the limited purpose of assisting this tribe in establishing eligibility for federal benefits and privileges. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide a procedure for a Native American tribe to petition the state for recognition. 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 Proclaiming February 10, 2026, As "the 3rd Rhode Island Regiment/black Regiment Recognition Day" To Commemorate The Contributions Of Black Soldiers During The American Revolutionary War

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

This act would require that automated teller machines disclose the account balance prior to any cash withdrawal. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would terminate the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the renewable energy standard obligations of entities to sell at retail to Rhode Island customers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish provisions for student and teacher classroom safety, and provides for the authority to remove students from classrooms and the administrative response to the same. This act would provide for student and educator protections from said removals and the school district’s responsibilities to the safety of the student. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 suspend the gross earnings tax on electric and gas companies until January 1, 2036. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

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 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 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 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 redefine "Political Party" and define and distinguish between "major parties" and "minor parties" based on the total number of votes a party's candidate received in the previous election among other factors. 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 set the minimum wage for 2027 at twenty dollars ($20) per hour. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a state-run pilot program in Rhode Island that provides paid, low- barrier employment to individuals experiencing homelessness for community beautification and cleanup projects while connecting participants to supportive services. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ. The duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would repeal § 3-7-19 which prohibits retail liquor licenses within two hundred feet (200') of schools and religious institutions. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the public utility commission (PUC) in conjunction with the division of public utilities and carriers (DPUC) to produce a comprehensive study for the general assembly by April 30, 2027, to be transmitted to the governor, speaker of the house and the senate president. The study would require the PUC and the DPUC to review all energy programs, compare them with other states and formulate a plan to lower energy costs for consumers in this state. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide an end to transaction fees for school lunches in all districts. The department would ensure there is at least one no-fee payment method for school lunches. This act would also require that any payment processing platform used by the district clearly discloses whether fees will be charged. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow customers to directly take single-use plastic straws from single straw dispensers at food service establishments. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit restrictive covenants related to grocery stores. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would apply to electric-generating facilities owned or operated by non-regulated power producers, a domestic electric utility or its affiliates generating electricity on or after January 1, 2025, regarding the sale and transmission of electricity, restructuring of the facility, and provisions of last-resort service. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would ensure that any public school with available seats, after completion of the initial enrollment period for students residing in that school’s designated attendance area, would make such seats available to other students residing within the same school district. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that agencies preparing economic impact statements for proposed rules applying to small businesses contain a finding that the anticipated compliance costs of the proposed rule scale proportionally with the business size, and do not impose fixed costs that larger businesses are able to absorb more easily. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish phased reduction of personal income tax rates. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the fines for certain traffic offenses to one hundred dollars ($100) and add fines of one hundred dollars ($100) for offenses required by law but omitted from the schedule. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $150,000 To The Main Street Rhode Island Program (authorizes The Appropriation Of The Sum Of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) To The Main Street Rhode Island Program.)

This act would exempt from sales tax the amount paid for a parking space by a patron for one hour or less, in or on a parking facility on which a commercial establishment is located. 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 condominium associations to charge a reduced fee to update a condominium resale certificate after issuance of the initial certificate. This act would take effect on September 1, 2026.

This act would prohibit cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require nonprofit entities who receive grants or other funding to provide a detailed list of their ten highest paid directors, officers or employees’ salaries and benefits, including the names of said individuals. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create the joint committee of the repealer for a term of six (6) years to compile suggestions for repeal of statutes, regulations, and executive orders received from citizens, businesses, and government agencies, including, but not limited to, those that are not considered "business-friendly", and those that are archaic and out of date. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would add criminal penalties for operation of a motor vehicle after a suspension for lack of physical or mental fitness, or as a result of frequency of offenses pursuant to § 31-11-7 (a)(1)(i) or as result of a court ordered suspension. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would increase the fine for speeding, one to ten miles per hour (1-10 mph) in excess of posted speed limit in a residential or school zone to one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) and would increase the fine to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for speed in excess of eleven miles per hour (11 mph) in a residential or school zone. This act would take effect upon passage.

Joint Resolution Respectfully Requesting A Convention Of The States Under Article V Of The United States Constitution (petitions Congress To Call A Convention For The Purpose Of Proposing Amendments To The U.s. Constitution To Impose Restraints On The Federal Government.)

This act would make it unlawful for a person in the custody of the department of corrections to use any force or weapon to resist a lawful request or directive. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create multiple chapters relating to project labor agreements to promote the use of project labor agreements on large-scale state public works projects to promote the supply of reliable and adequate qualified labor. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would ensure that the State of Rhode Island adopt the protections afforded under the Occupational Safety and Health Act if its scope or enforcement capacity is diminished. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would grant an apprentice a two hundred eighty-eight (288) hour credit upon completion of course of study from a fully accredited trade school towards the required five hundred seventy-six (576) hours needed for a journeyperson's license and increase from two (2) to four (4) years of employment under the supervision of a duly licensed master plumber and completed eight thousand (8,000) hours of on-the-job training. The act would also require an apprentice for several mechanical trades to work under a duly licensed pipefitter for five (5) years upon registration with the department of labor and training (DLT). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the workers' compensation reimbursement provisions related to the liability of third person for damages. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require all healthcare workers and all medical direct support professionals who are employed in a healthcare facility, as defined in § 27-18-1.1, on any Sunday or holiday, to be compensated at the rate of time and one-half. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would raise the minimum threshold contract price before public works contractors are required to pay prevailing wages to their employees, from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). This act also would require municipal oversight, enforcement and compliance with the payment of prevailing wages regarding municipal contracts. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the administrator of the division of motor vehicles to make available special license plates for the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association. This act would take effect six (6) months after passage.

This act would prohibit the consideration of an applicant's credit history in determining automobile insurance rates. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would freeze obligated entities’ annual requirements regarding percentages of retail sales of electricity obtained from renewable energy sources for the years 2027, 2028, and 2029. This act would further permit the use of nuclear energy obtained outside the state for use within the state to achieve the state’s renewable energy standard. This act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

This act would require any public utility company that needs to close any state or municipal roadway to perform related work to provide notice of the scheduled road closure to all residential and business property owners located within one thousand feet (1,000 ft) of the closed highway, at least forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled road closure. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require any business entity that makes automatic renewal offers or continuous service offers for goods, services, memberships or subscriptions that are available on- line, also make the canceling such agreements for goods, services, memberships or subscriptions equally accessible on-line. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish minimum limitations standards for structural property damage claims, and would void any policy provision, endorsement, condition, limitation, agreement, or claim practice that shortens those standards. This act would further prohibit insurers and insurer- affiliated claim handlers from treating any payment as a full settlement or claim closure absent a formal written release and settlement agreement executed by the claimant or insured, and notarized, consistent with chapter 9.1 of title 27 (“unfair claims settlement practices act”), and require clear disclosures to insureds and claimants regarding applicable time limitations and claim rights. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would permit eating and drinking establishments to accept consumer-provided containers to fill or refill with takeout food or beverages. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit unauthorized placement of merchants on advertising platform order interfaces, and would prohibit third-party restaurant reservation services. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027

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 prevent the council on elementary and secondary education from granting preliminary approval or final approval for the creation or expansion of any district charter school, independent charter school or mayoral academy charter school beginning operations in 2026-2027, 2027-2028, or 2028-2029 school years. This act would also prevent the state from approving or appropriating funding to any new charter school or to expand an existing charter school that has not been approved by the council on elementary or secondary education prior to July 01, 2025 for fiscal year 2026-2027, fiscal year 2027-2028, or fiscal year 2028-2028. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require schools to implement a plan to provide academic accommodation for a student who has been diagnosed with a concussion or other brain injury. 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 update the Rhode Island coordinate system to adopt the most recent system of plane coordinates established by the National Geodetic Survey, a federal agency which is part of NOAA and the US Department of Commerce, and would modify the meter to foot conversion to adopt the international foot to provide national uniformity. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that a backflow test be performed every ten (10) years, rather than the current yearly inspection. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would establish a property tax deferral program for senior citizens, disabled persons or veterans. 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 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 provide that all public officers and employees, teacher retirees and municipal employees, in addition to their defined benefit retirement allowance, receive cost of living adjustments of up to three percent (3%) but in no event, zero percent (0%) and that the adjustment be compounded into the retiree’s total retirement benefits each year. The benefits shall be based on the retirement benefit received on January 1, 2026, or, if not receiving benefits at the time of the passage of this act, then upon their defined benefit retirement entitlement. These benefits shall be prospective only and this act shall not modify or increase any contribution by any employee into the retirement system. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would remove the language that requires the department of elementary and secondary education to prorate funds available for distribution among school districts if the total approved costs of sought after reimbursement exceeds the amount of funding appropriated in any fiscal year. This act would also eliminate the funding of the categorical programs pursuant to the transition plan in § 16-7.2-7. This act would take effect upon passage.

The act would require a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need studies. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that in local education agencies when over forty-five percent (45%) of the children have a family income that is at or below one hundred and eighty-five percent (185%) of federal poverty guidelines, then the student success factor will be fifty percent (50%) by the core instruction per-pupil amount. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the Rhode Island works program to increase the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026, and tie the benefit amount to the federal poverty level going forward and increase the cash support pass- through to one hundred dollars ($100) for one child and two hundred dollars ($200) for more than one child. This act would also remove the sixty-five dollars ($65.00) benefit reduction for families living in subsidized housing. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, except for the provisions of § 40-5.2-20(c) which would take effect July 1, 2026.

This act would, change the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date. The average compensation would be reduced from the highest five (5) years to the average of the highest three (3) consecutive years, of compensation, within the total service, when the average compensation was the highest. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt from the sales tax meals served by licensed child care centers. This act would take effect upon passage.

Commencing on July 1, 2026, this act would allow members, state and municipal employees to retire when they have at least twenty-eight (28) years of active service and their retirement age, when combined with the number of their years of service reaches, the number eighty-five (85). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would remove the definition of "totally and permanently disabled" from the general law affording college tuition paid by the state to the spouse and children of active members of the police force who are killed or disabled during duty. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would cap the interest rate for all delinquent taxes at twelve percent (12%). This act would also limit the tax administrator’s authority to audit taxpayers to three (3) years from the date of the tax filing. For fraudulent returns, the audit period shall not exceed seven (7) years, and no audit can be performed beyond ten (10) years. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would apply to all assessments, audits and tax payments, including delinquent taxes, initiated on or after this date.

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 provide that an individual school district that utilizes its own buses or vendors to transport students outside the district, at a lower cost than the statewide school transportation system, could submit these costs to the department of elementary and secondary education and receive reimbursement from state funds. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would transfer responsibility for implementation of services for persons with traumatic brain injuries from the director of the department of human services to the EOHHS. 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 mandate health insurance coverage by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings in order to enable patients to get the critical care they need without delay. 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 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 inspections and evaluations of the indoor air quality of each school building, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The department of health would establish guidelines for indoor air quality in schools, including recommended thresholds and rates for environmental conditions that directly affect health and learning. The department of education in coordination with the department of health, shall submit a report to the general assembly within one year of the effective date of this section, with recommendations to improve indoor air quality in public schools. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would cap the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for a covered prescription inhaler, prescription device, or prescription equipment to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per thirty (30) day supply. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would cap the amount that a covered person is required to pay for insulin administration and glucose monitoring equipment and supplies at twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per thirty (30) day supply or per item when an item is intended to be used for longer than thirty (30) days and would prohibit any deductible for the equipment and supplies. The coverage would commence on January 1, 2027. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would ensure that more developmentally disabled adults can self-direct the care they need and want, by incorporating collective bargaining rights into the self-directed supports program to enhance service access, increase the availability of education and training options and improve the recruitment and retention of the individuals selected by participants as direct support professionals. This act does not alter or limit the authority of the director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals to administrator the self-directed supports program, enforce existing rules, regulations and procedures, or adopt amended rules, regulations and procedures for operating the program. This act further does not alter or limit the rights of participants and their representatives to select, direct and terminate the services of self-directed direct support professionals or to determine the wages of self-directed direct support professionals within the range set by the director. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize the department of children, youth and families to license mobile response and stabilization services (MRSS). This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would remove obsolete language and clarify asbestos abatement and radon control requirements for purpose of the asbestos abatement statute. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would clarify the manner in which certain dental insurance benefits are paid directly to the provider. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

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 require landlords to register certain information for residential properties constructed prior to 1978 with the department of health on a statewide registry and defines which information may be viewed on a public database. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow the town of North Providence to receive a one-half (1/2) credit for affordable housing units for manufactured homes in age restricted communities in conformance with all zoning laws and/or ordinances of the town. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 reduce the newspaper advertising notice requirements for amendments to zoning ordinances and planning board meetings from three (3) weeks to two (2) weeks. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow for building inspectors to conduct “virtual inspections” or utilize photographic evidence, at the building official’s discretion, from time to time during and upon completion of the work for which the building official has issued a permit. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that no train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight be operated unless it had a crew consisting of at least two (2) persons. This act would include the imposition of fines upon a company, individual or business entity for violation of the act. This act would take effect on October 1, 2026.

This act would increase the minimum veterans’ exemption from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to six thousand dollars ($6,000) with respect to municipal taxes. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would allow nonprofit organizations to participate in permitted games of chance upon registering with the state police on an annual basis. The nonprofit would be exempt from any required background checks by local law enforcement. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would spell out what a public works project includes and the requirements of this section shall apply to all such public works projects. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 increase the minimum hourly wage commencing January 1, 2028, by an amount equal to the total percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Northeast Region for the calendar year 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow employees, not represented by a union, to create a group to collectively bargain with employers. The employees would need to demonstrate that they have majority support for the creation of a collective bargaining unit by using signed file cards to gauge the level of support they enjoy, as set forth by the act. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that all contractual provisions in a firefighters collective bargaining agreement would continue until a successor agreement has been reached or an interest arbitration award has been rendered. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would mandate any contract for capital improvements at any healthcare facility adhere to the requirements of chapter 13 of title 37. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that Rhode Island state employees be eligible for temporary disability insurance effective January 1, 2027. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would apply to wages earned on or after that date.

This act would require employers to provide full-time employees four (4) hours of paid leave, once a year to donate blood through an approved blood donation program. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would extend the sunset from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2029, on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits and the increase in the amount of earnings disregarded when calculating a weekly benefit rate. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would transfer authority over the examination and licensing of telecommunications professionals to the state board of examiners of electricians and would amend the composition of that body to require the inclusion of a telecommunications professional. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would make contractors civilly liable and/or jointly civilly liable for any claims of wage theft or nonpayment from an employee against the contractor, its subcontractors and any subcontractor, involved in the performance of a contract solely for construction services performed under the International Building Code, as locally amended and adopted as the RISBC-1; provided that, written notice of the alleged violation be given to the contractor not more than forty-five (45) days from the last occurrence of the alleged wage theft. This act would also authorize only administrative and/or civil actions to recover the claimed wages. This act would further provide that these provisions could be waived by a collective bargaining agreement with a bona fide building and construction trade labor organization which has established itself as the collective bargaining representative for persons performing work on a project. This act would apply to construction contracts entered into, renewed, modified or amended on or after the effective date of this act. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would allow a police officer to be reemployed by a state agency or department for purposes of working a state-funded detail subject to certain restrictions. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would strengthen consumer protections and promote fair competition by requiring businesses that conduct business in Rhode Island, including out-of-state entities and unincorporated operators, to register and maintain required filings with the secretary of state so that Rhode Island consumers and small businesses may readily identify responsible parties, verify good standing, and effectuate service of process. This act would further establish enhanced civil penalties for unauthorized business activity, increase annual report penalties, and provide that noncompliance with secretary of state filing obligations constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would align the implementation date of youth camp licensing within the operational, and statutory framework of the Rhode Island department of human services and department of children, youth and families. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide measures to prevent title fraud by authorizing the recorder of deeds to require the production of a government-issued photographic identification card before recording a deed or certain other instruments and providing for a separate cause of action to quiet title after an attempted fraudulent conveyance. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027, and would apply to instruments presented for recording on or after that date.

This act would add school superintendents, central office officials, school principals, and all other school employees, to the definition of a “public official” for purposes of the criminal prohibition against making threats to public officials. In the case of an alleged threat against these persons, a suspect would be charged only if the suspect is eighteen (18) years of age or older and is not a student at the school. No student enrolled or matriculating at the school would be charged under the provisions of this act. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would toll the statute of limitations for causes of action arising out of business activities conducted in this state by a person or entity required to register with the secretary of state under title 7 ("corporations, associations, and partnerships") or § 6-1-1 but failing to do so, until such person or entity becomes duly registered or authorized to transact business in this state. This act would further provide a voluntary compliance incentive that starts the limitations period upon registration when the person or entity registers before written notice of a claim or enforcement inquiry, thereby encouraging compliance while preserving remedies for injured consumers and businesses. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would eliminate fingerprinting fees for licensed childcare hires, require background checks for youth activity instructors, and allow active top secret sensitive compartmented information (TS/SCI) security clearance to satisfy criminal background check requirements. This act would take effect upon passage.

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 provide services for veterans in the criminal justice system ensuring disclosure and connections with federal and state resources. 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 allow any vehicle eligible for registration with a gross weight of under eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) to be registered as a passenger vehicle as long it is accompanied by a registrant's affidavit declaring it would not be used for commercial purposes. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Recognizing March 8, 2026, As "international Women's Day" And The Month Of March As "women's History Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Honoring Sandra Lake For Her Extraordinary Contributions To Women And Communities In Rhode Island

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 prohibit public and private colleges and universities from charging students for institution provided health insurance in the absence of affirmative action by the student opting in to coverage. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would increase and reallocate the fees collected for motor vehicle inspections, including motorcycle inspections, with an allocation of ten dollars ($10.00) to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would require the state investment commission to create a capital access initiative to expand potential investment opportunities for the state’s pension fund and engage qualified but traditionally underrepresented investment managers. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a modification to federal adjusted gross income for personal income tax for qualified tips and overtime income consistent with the federal tax treatment. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to apply an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (“COLA”) to the Medicaid reimbursement rates paid for assisted living services provided pursuant to this chapter. This act would take effect upon passage and would apply to Medicaid assisted living rates effective July 1, 2026.

This act would mandate health insurance coverage by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings in order to enable patients to get the critical care they need without delay. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that a licensed assisted living community is not required to hold a residential unit for a Medicare-eligible resident absent from the facility for a period exceeding ten (10) days and if required to hold the bed, then the executive office of health and human services would provide a Medicaid bed hold payment to the assisted living community. This act would take effect upon passage and would apply to Medicaid-assisted living residents absent on or after July 1, 2026.

This act would prohibit healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit municipalities from restricting certain landscaping equipment based on its power source unless the restriction was grandfathered in or as a result of a positive referendum vote. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would clarify when mobile equipment can travel on a public highway as an incidentally permitted practice limited to the active participation in an active work zone. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit an individual who operates a recreational vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner which hinders the movement of other vehicles with a group of two (2) more vehicles shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to two and one-half (2.5) years and a fine of up to two thousand dollars ($2,000). If any individuals in violation of this act are wearing masks at the time of violation, offenders are subject to an additional one year imprisonment and/or up to an additional five hundred dollars ($500) fine. This act would also subject any recreational vehicle used in violation of this act to forfeiture of that vehicle. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend “Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act" by changing the provision for payment of legal fees to allow upon written application by both the law enforcement agency and the accused that the chairperson may appoint legal counsel for the hearing committee, and each party shall be responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the legal fees unless otherwise agreed. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would ban street takeovers and violators would be guilty of a felony and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and be subject to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). The act would also authorize the impounding of the vehicle involved in the offense and subject it to a forfeiture hearing in the superior court. The act would also increase the penalty for disorderly conduct while wearing a mask. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would set an earlier deadline from June to April for filing of declaration of candidacy and nomination papers It would delay the filing of nomination papers from fifty-four (54) days to eighty-four (84) days, before the date of the primary. It would also change the date of primary elections, from the eighth Tuesday preceding the biennial state elections to the second Tuesday. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027

This act would dictate the length a search warrant involving a tracking device would be valid and provide a process to extend the time frame of the tracking device usage for good cause. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide amendments to the assessment of filing fees required to appeal from certain matters adjudicated by the district court. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

This act would eliminate prescribed timelines for hearing and determination in certain enforcement actions before the department labor and training to align with reasonable practice. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require healthcare insurers, without prior authorization, to provide post- acute care services to patients discharged from a hospital for a minimum of seven (7) days commencing on or after January 1, 2027. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would extend provisions of an existing collective bargaining agreement for municipal police arbitration purposes until a successor agreement is reached or an interest arbitration award is rendered. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that every gas distribution company that charges for the distribution of gas to any house or building would need to include certain information on any bill or statement provided to the consumer. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the audit compliance requirements for municipalities' contributions to pension plans under the audit of accounts and installation of systems chapter of the general laws. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow a modification to federal adjusted gross income for all public pension benefits administered by the employees' retirement system of Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that violations of § 11-37.1-10 relating to failing to register as a sex offender are subject to the duration and frequency of registrations pursuant to § 11-37.1-4. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would restore law enforcement discretion, allowing officers to issue a verbal warning when appropriate or pursue misdemeanor or felony charges in more egregious cases where a child is left unattended in a motor vehicle. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would create a new class of retirement status license for retirees that had possessed a professional license issued by the division of professional regulation. This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Senate Resolution Welcoming The Narragansett Council, Scouting America, To The Rhode Island State House On February 24th Of 2026, And Joyfully Celebrating Scouting Month In February

Senate Resolution Proclaiming March Of 2026, As "colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

Senate Resolution Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Of The Founding Of Sojourner House Of Rhode Island

This act would amend pension benefits for Rhode Island State Police members and pension benefit determinations to be based on date of hire and years of service. Retirements authorized after twenty (20) years of service would be entitled to fifty percent (50%) of whole salary. Members may accrue an additional three percent (3%) for each year of service over twenty (20) years with a cap of sixty-five percent (65%) of whole salary. Members may serve no more than a maximum of thirty (30) years. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would exempt from taxation the property of the nonprofit Mount St. Rita Health Centre located in Cumberland, RI. The exemption would be effective as of December 31, 2025. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would allow any city, town, state and/or agency of a municipality or the state to report unpaid fines of two hundred dollars ($200) or more to the division of motor vehicles as grounds for refusal of registration. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that motor vehicle rental companies be entitled to establish non- liability for toll violations, administrative fees, and fines by providing a rental or lease agreement to the traffic tribunal as prima facie evidence that a lessee was the vehicle operator, and would exempt car rental companies from registration penalties resulting from out-of-state toll violations from operators using their rental vehicles. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide that any person convicted of shoplifting any item valued at less than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) would be guilty of a misdemeanor and any subsequent offense would be punished as a felony. Any offense involving items valued at more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) would carry enhanced penalties. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize judges to issue electronic warrants for DUI offenses under certain conditions. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would prohibit the use of genetic information for purposes of determining eligibility, setting premium rates, or imposing preexisting condition exclusions for life insurance, disability insurance providing disability income protection, or long-term care insurance. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would authorize a veterinarian to establish a client-patient relationship in Rhode Island through synchronous audiovisual electronic means, subject to certain limitations and requirements. The act would also provide that the veterinarian shall be licensed in Rhode Island, obtain the client consent to establish the veterinarian client-patient relationship through electronic means, and maintain such documentation for at least one year. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would be a proposed bond measure that would authorize the State of Rhode Island to issue up to one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects. Funds would be used for shoreline protection, flood mitigation, stormwater and wastewater upgrades, protection of critical facilities, port and working waterfront resilience, and workforce preparedness and training programs to support resilience-related jobs and infrastructure investments. Bond proceeds may only be used for projects in high-risk and prioritized areas identified in the state’s resilience report for implementation within the next ten (10) years. Sections 1, 2, 10, and 11 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 10 of this act hereof have indicated their approval of the project thereunder.

Joint Resolution Making An Appropriation Of $250,000 To 401 Tech Bridge To Study And Explore Seagliders In Rhode Island (this Resolution Would Make An Appropriation Of $250,000 To 401 Tech Bridge To Study And Explore Seagliders.)

This act would permit a signed release to be transmitted to the party responsible for paying the settlement or their attorney by electronic means. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would require that insurance policies for property damage, personal injuries, and indemnification other than payment of compensation for workers compensation, state policy limits and no amount of the policy may be used to pay costs to defend a claim. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would provide a specific cause of action for violations of the rights of nursing home patients chapter. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would amend the refiling process for rules and regulations under the administrative procedures act by implementing a confirmation and attestation system to confirm agency rules and regulations are active and effective and would repeal the section of law relating to periodic refiling of rules and regulations. This act would take effect upon passage.

TO VACATE THE FORFEITURE OR REVOCATION OF THE CHARTER OF THE CUMBERLAND LODGE #14, FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

Senate Resolution Proclaiming April 16, 2026, As "rhode Island Manufacturers Association Recognition Day" In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would provide that a portion of state income taxes from employees working at not- for-profit healthcare institutions, health service institutions, and educational institutions be allocated to the city of Providence to offset expenses related to the growth in the healthcare and educational areas. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would extend the sunsetting of the "Don't Block the Box" automated traffic detection systems from January 15, 2027, to January 15, 2030. This act would take effect upon passage.

Commencing on July 1, 2026, this act would allow teachers, state and municipal employees to retire upon the earlier of reaching age sixty (60) with thirty (30) years of service or the employee's retirement eligibility date under present state statutes. This act would take effect upon passage.

This act would remove the fiscal year 2026 fourteen percent (14%) limitation for reduction to the local per-pupil funding for charter schools. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Honoring Executive Director Julie Leddy Upon Her Retirement After Twenty-nine Years Of Dedicated Service To The Coventry Housing Authority

This act would change tax exemptions to tax credits in the city of Cranston. This act would take effect upon passage.

Senate Resolution Declaring May 2026 As "brain Tumor Awareness Month" In The State Of Rhode Island

This act would authorize the town of Coventry to apportion the tax levy proportionately between residential and commercial properties. This act would take effect retroactively to December 31, 2025.