Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7771: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

HB 7771 sets the state's minimum wage at $24.00 per hour starting January 1, 2027, for all covered employees under existing labor law. This bill amends the state's minimum wage schedule by adding a new effective date and rate, continuing a pattern of annual increases that began in 1999. The change directly affects all private-sector workers in the state who are currently covered by minimum wage protections. The bill takes effect upon passage, with no exemptions or phase-in periods specified.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7764: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

HB 7764 prohibits landlords from using computer algorithms that rely on secret competitor data (like other landlords' rent prices or occupancy rates) to set or adjust residential rent. It directly affects residential landlords, property managers, and agents who use such tools to determine rent amounts. The law bans this practice starting January 1, 2027, with limited exemptions for federal housing programs and basic internal record-keeping. This change aims to prevent opaque, data-driven rent increases based on nonpublic market information. The bill does not restrict algorithms used solely for historical market reporting or compliance with government housing programs.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7961: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES

Makes construction 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.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8112: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8066: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- TRESPASS AND VANDALISM

Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8113: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

HB 8113 (2026) requires residential landlords to pay interest on security deposits held for tenants. This directly affects landlords who collect security deposits and tenants who provide them. The key provision mandates that landlords pay interest on these deposits, likely calculated at a specified rate, though the exact rate isn't detailed in the abstract. The bill is currently in the introduction stage (referred to House Judiciary on 02/27/2026) and has not yet been voted on or enacted.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7959: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES

Requires the employer, at the time of hiring, to furnish to their employees an itemized list of the terms and conditions of the employment and mandates that each payday a pay stub explaining how their wages were calculated is provided.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8108: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Limits rent increases to 4% annually, but allows an additional increase for taxes, insurance, or health and safety costs if the landlord gets an exemption from the secretary of housing, and provides tenants civil remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8109: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS

HB 8109 would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants from residential housing without a valid legal reason, directly affecting both landlords and renters in rental properties. The bill prevents landlords from removing tenants or attempting to exclude them from their homes, requiring just cause for any eviction. Key provisions include banning no-cause evictions and establishing that landlords must have a legally recognized justification, such as nonpayment of rent or lease violations, to seek removal. This bill aims to strengthen tenant protections by limiting arbitrary displacement in residential housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7973: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- WORK ON HOLIDAYS AND SUNDAYS

Excludes from the definition of an "employee" any individual employed in catering, commissary, or food establishment, for purposes of the provisions requiring payment of wages at one and one-half normal rate of pay for work on holidays and Sundays.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8111: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

HB 8111 would allow tenants to have certain eviction records sealed, making them inaccessible to future landlords or background checks. This directly affects tenants who faced evictions under specific qualifying circumstances, such as disputes over repairs or non-payment due to financial hardship. The key mechanism requires tenants to petition a court to seal records after meeting eligibility criteria, removing them from public access. The bill aims to provide a fresh start for tenants by limiting the long-term impact of past eviction cases.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2742: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- NON-CHARITABLE BINGO

SB 2742 would authorize the state lottery division to operate non-charitable bingo games, creating a new legal framework for this activity. It directly affects the state lottery division by granting it the specific power to run these games, which are typically restricted under current law. The key provision establishes a new chapter in state law to govern non-charitable bingo operations under the lottery division's oversight. This bill does not change existing charitable bingo rules but adds a new, state-run option for bingo games.

Bill results