Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2443: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Redefines what constitutes a farm by reducing the amount of revenue from farm products required to be sold from $10,000 to $2500. It also expands the farm to include all agricultural operations, including forestry.

Bob Britto (D) Jessica de la Cruz (R) Thomas Paolino (R) David Tikoian (D) Elaine Morgan (R)

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 8139: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Provides the state would cover dialysis for the treatment of end stage renal disease ("ESRD") and kidney transplants for persons who do not qualify for full Medicaid due to their immigration status.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 7637: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Prohibit denial of an opportunity to apply for employment as a law enforcement officer or firefighter solely on the basis of a person's country of citizenship.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HR 8121: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING THE IMMIGRANT IMPACT TASK FORCE

Creates an 11-member task force to track and oversee immigration enforcement and support actions in Rhode Island, and who would report back to the General Assembly House no later than January 5, 2027, and whose life would expire on March 5, 2027.

Topics ✓ Immigration

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2498: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- INSPECTION OF PERSONNEL FILES

Expands the obligations of employers to create, maintain and retain their employees' personnel records, it requires that records be retained for at least 3 years after employee's termination. It also increases the financial penalties for each violation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 8140: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LIMITATIONS ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION

Bars state and local police from joining federal immigration enforcement programs, limits holding people on detainer without judicial warrants, and requires tracking and reporting of requests.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2017: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

Provides that the school year for all public schools, including traditional public and public charter schools, independent charter schools, and mayoral academies, would start on the same date of each calendar year.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2016: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Adds "media literacy" to the standards currently taught in civic education for K-12, which are the history of Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship and the principles of democracy.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HR 7077: HOUSE RESOLUTION CONDEMNING UNCONSTITUTIONAL TACTICS BY U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND BEYOND

This resolution (HR 7077) is a non-binding statement by the Rhode Island House of Representatives condemning specific immigration enforcement tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It specifically criticizes ICE's use of unmarked vehicles, plain clothes, and concealment of agents' identities during operations in Rhode Island and nationwide, which the resolution claims create community fear and undermine trust. The resolution opposes future "mass immigration raids" and "fear tactics," affirming the state's commitment to protecting all residents' rights regardless of immigration status. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the Governor, Attorney General, Senate, and all municipal councils. As a symbolic resolution, it does not change laws or directly affect individuals.

Topics ✓ Immigration

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HR 7131: HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF RENEE NICOLE GOOD IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

House Resolution 7131 expresses the Rhode Island House of Representatives' deepest condolences for the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, poet, and community member who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The resolution extends sympathies to her family and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to them. As a memorial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges her life and loss.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2173: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- CERTIFICATION OF CHILDCARE AND YOUTH-SERVING WORKERS AND OPERATORS

Commencing July 1, 2026, this act eliminates the provision of this section that requires new applicants for employment under this section to pay the expense for their criminal background checks.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2078: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE SCHOOL LIBRARIES ACT

SB 2078, the School Libraries Act, requires every public school in Rhode Island (including traditional schools, charters, and vocational schools) to have a permanent library space and a certified school librarian. It mandates that schools with 250+ students have a full-time librarian by 2027 (high schools), 2029 (middle/high schools), and 2031 (all K-12), while smaller schools must have at least half-time coverage. The bill specifies that libraries must include adequate book collections, student study space, technology, and daily student access, with librarians available during open library time. It also defines key terms like "information literacy" and "media literacy" to guide implementation. The law would take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results