Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2776: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Requires that certain data centers requiring large amounts of electricity be required to fund the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements to supply such electricity.

Topics ✓ Energy

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2886: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- JOINT COMMISSION TO STUDY WAYS TO MAXIMIZE REVENUE FOR CHILD WELFARE AND CHILDREN’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

Establishes a twenty-seven (27) member joint commission to study ways to maximize revenue for child welfare and children’s behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2860: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Requires the department of health to implement a tobacco control program that incorporates evidence-based best practices for tobacco prevention and cessation to prevent tobacco-related diseases and diminish tobacco use in the state.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2765: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- THE GREEN BUILDINGS ACT

This bill establishes the Green Buildings Act Commission, a 17-member body tasked with overseeing the implementation of green building standards for public construction projects. The legislation requires that all new or significantly renovated public facilities larger than 10,000 square feet meet specific environmental certification standards, such as LEED, SITES, or equivalent high-performance benchmarks, as a condition for receiving building permits and certificates of occupancy. Public school facilities receiving state funding must comply with these standards or the Northeast Collaborative for High-Performance Schools Protocol. The Department of Administration's State Building Office will provide administrative support and funding to the commission, while public agencies must submit required reports and information to ensure compliance with the new requirements.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2761: AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT -- THE RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CLIMATE REFORM ACT

This bill, known as the Rhode Island Business Climate Reform Act, modifies the state's Business Corporation Act to regulate how shareholders can file lawsuits on behalf of corporations. It primarily affects corporate shareholders and directors by establishing stricter rules for derivative proceedings, which are legal actions where shareholders sue to protect corporate interests. The bill requires shareholders to make a written demand to the corporation before filing suit, mandates a 90-day waiting period unless immediate harm is shown, and creates a process for independent directors or a court-appointed panel to determine if lawsuits are in the corporation's best interests. Additionally, it allows certain large corporations to set a minimum ownership threshold of up to 5% for shareholders to initiate derivative actions starting in 2026, and limits attorney fee awards in cases that result only in disclosure settlements.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 7509: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION ACT OF 2015

Amends the Identity Theft Protection Act by eliminating current definitions and establishing new definitions. This act also raises the penalty provisions for violations.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2427: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION

Requires the public utilities commission to provide for a classification of service for retail electricity consumers that are large energy use facilities.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 7527: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- EDUCATION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ACT

Requires that student mentors in public schools be certified support educators, ensuring mentors have professional training, established student relationships, and access to skills and information needed to support student success.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 7525: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COOPERATIVE SERVICE AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS -- CHARTER SCHOOL REFORM

HB 7525 requires charter schools in Rhode Island to offer nontraditional, student-centered learning approaches (like project-based or progressive methods) instead of traditional memorization-focused teaching. It mandates the Rhode Island Department of Education to review all charter school applications using these approaches to ensure they adequately replace traditional education. The bill also specifies that if a charter school loses its renewal, its allocated student seats must be reallocated to another school offering nontraditional learning methods. This legislation directly affects all Rhode Island charter schools and their students, reinforcing accountability while expanding educational approaches within the public school system.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 7669: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

HB 7669 limits early voting to a total of ten nonconsecutive days before an election, specifically including the two weekend days immediately preceding the election plus eight weekdays. This applies to all elections covered under the relevant election laws and directly affects voters seeking to cast ballots early. The bill specifies that early voting periods must not include consecutive days, creating a defined window for early voting. It takes effect upon passage, with no further details provided on implementation or specific election types affected.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 7616: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL TRAUMA KIT ACT

Requires every elementary and secondary school within the State of Rhode Island to provide and maintain clearly visible and easily accessible trauma kits within the school. It also provides immunity if assistance is rendered.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 7633: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- CONFIDENTIALITY OF HEALTH CARE COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ACT

Provides conditions under which BHDDH has the authority to compel certain healthcare providers to finish requested healthcare records without violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results