Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 12, 2024

HB 7517: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- OFFICE OF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS

HB 7517 updates the procedures for handling unclaimed human remains in Rhode Island by establishing specific timelines for families to claim bodies after a death. The bill requires the Office of State Medical Examiners to release a deceased person's body to relatives or domestic partners within fourteen days of notice, with the state covering transport costs if an autopsy was performed. If the body is not claimed or removed from the morgue within thirty days, or if no family members are known, the remains are classified as unclaimed and buried according to existing state laws. Additionally, the legislation formally defines "domestic partner" for these purposes, requiring a relationship of at least one year and evidence of financial interdependence. The law also specifies that the state treasurer has priority in recovering burial expenses from the deceased person's estate.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2024

SB 2947: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS

Adds "loose material" to the contents of a vehicle that must be covered by a covering that must remain in place until the vehicle's contents are purged from the vehicle.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2024

SB 2849: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- EXCAVATION NEAR UNDERGROUND UTILITY FACILITIES

Amends the provision of notice to be provided for the release of any hazardous gas or liquid as determined by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 12, 2024

HB 7328: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

Includes the general assembly elections within the category of elections subject to the risk-limiting audits within the jurisdiction of the board of elections.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2024

SB 2896: AN ACT RELATING TO PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE -- UNCLAIMED INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE PROPERTY

This bill updates the rules for agreements involving the recovery of unclaimed property, such as forgotten bank accounts or safe deposit box contents. It makes contracts that promise to find this property unenforceable if they are signed within 24 months of the property being reported to the state. For agreements signed after that 24-month window, the law requires that fees be capped at 10% of the property's value, the contract be in writing, and the owner be clearly informed that they can claim the property for free from the general treasurer. Additionally, the agreement must detail the property's value and the owner's final share after any fees are deducted, while also allowing owners to challenge fees they consider excessive. These changes directly affect individuals hired to locate unclaimed assets and the owners of those assets.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 12, 2024

SB 2807: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SHEILA C. "SKIP" NOWELL ACADEMY

This bill restructures the Sheila C. "Skip" Nowell Academy from an independent charter school into a public school and local educational agency. The new structure allows the academy to operate under a cooperative agreement where costs are shared between the state and the school districts of the students' residence. While the academy will continue to serve at-risk students, including pregnant and parenting teens and recent immigrants, it will now be governed by a board of trustees appointed by the state council rather than running as a standalone charter. The legislation ensures that students retain all the same legal rights as those attending other public schools and outlines specific funding responsibilities for local districts.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2024

HB 7263: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' BILL OF RIGHTS

This bill updates Rhode Island's Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights by renaming it the Law Enforcement Officers' Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act. It directly affects permanently employed police officers, state troopers, and other sworn law enforcement personnel, excluding department heads. The law establishes a five-member hearing committee to review complaints against officers and mandates that both the agency and the officer share the cost of legal counsel for these hearings. Additionally, the bill requires that investigations be conducted at reasonable hours, allows officers to have an attorney present during interrogations, and prohibits threatening officers with disciplinary action during the inquiry process.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2024

SB 2096: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' BILL OF RIGHTS

This bill amends Rhode Island's existing Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights by renaming it the Law Enforcement Officers' Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act. It directly affects permanently employed police officers, state troopers, and other sworn law enforcement employees, excluding department chiefs and top-ranking administrators. The key provisions establish a new five-member hearing committee with a mix of judges, attorneys, and officers to review complaints against officers, while also mandating that legal fees for this committee be split evenly between the agency and the accused officer. Additionally, the law requires that investigations be conducted at reasonable hours, allows officers to have legal counsel present during interrogations, and ensures officers are fully informed of the specific complaints and names of complainants before questioning begins.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2024

HB 7661: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Permits Dyslexia Advocacy Rhode Island plates to be issued for passenger or commercial vehicles upon the satisfaction of the required criteria relative to the number of plates ordered.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2024

HB 7330: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE

Provides that the fifth day in April in each year be designated as "Rhode Island Gold Star Spouses Day" with appropriate exercises in public places and with flags flown at half-staff over the state house.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2024

HB 7795: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS BY CONTRACTORS

Prohibits contractors and subcontractors from paying employees the cash equivalent of any applicable healthcare benefit in lieu of actually purchasing the healthcare benefit. Violations would be subject to civil fines.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2024

HB 7210: AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE

This bill updates the state's Uniform Commercial Code to include legal definitions for emerging digital technologies, specifically addressing electronic documents of title and electronic records. By amending the General Provisions, the law clarifies how terms like "delivery," "holder," and "good faith" apply to transactions involving digital assets and electronic mediums. The changes ensure that existing commercial rules can properly govern modern business practices involving data stored in electronic formats rather than just physical paper. These updates directly affect businesses, banks, and individuals engaging in commercial transactions that utilize digital systems.

Bill results