Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7347: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Limits prior authorization requirements for rehabilitative and habilitative services. Also prohibits prior authorization for the first twelve (12) visits of a new episode of care and for ninety (90) days following a chronic pain diagnosis.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Susan Donovan (D) Lauren Carson (D) Jennifer Boylan (D) Deb Fellela (D) Kathleen Fogarty (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7343: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PESTICIDE CONTROL

Restricts application of pesticides and rodenticides at schools and childcare centers and requires schools to provide copies of notice to parents and guardians.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7382: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPECIAL LICENSES FOR MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND OTHER MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLES

HB 7382 requires all motorcycle operators in the state to wear a helmet, regardless of age. This applies directly to every person riding a motorcycle, eliminating existing age-based exemptions for helmet use. The bill's key provision mandates helmet use as a standard safety requirement for all motorcycle operators, without exceptions. The bill was introduced on January 28, 2026, and is currently scheduled for hearing on February 10, 2026.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7428: 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 · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7429: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY

Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 7419: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

HB 7419 extends current teacher certifications for three or five years without fees or penalties for all teachers certified as of July 1, 2026. It waives all application fees and Praxis exam costs for new teacher certifications from July 2026 through June 2029 to support recruitment. The bill also requires the Rhode Island Department of Education to revise certification rules to create multiple pathways, including accepting non-traditional experience and competency demonstrations for credentialing. These changes aim to reduce barriers for teachers seeking initial or additional certifications while streamlining the process.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 2366: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

SB 2366 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax code to modify how tuition savings program contributions are treated for tax purposes. It allows taxpayers to subtract up to $500 ($1,000 for joint returns) annually from federal adjusted gross income for contributions made to Rhode Island's tuition savings program, with specific restrictions on what qualifies as a deductible contribution. This affects residents using the tuition savings program who claim tax deductions for contributions. The bill also clarifies rules for nonqualified withdrawals from these accounts and their tax treatment. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 7336: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIABILITY INSURANCE -- UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE

HB 7336 expands existing uninsured motorist coverage to include property damage (like vehicle damage) alongside bodily injury, which was previously only covered for bodily harm. It requires insurers to offer property damage coverage unless a driver with collision coverage specifically rejects it in writing. The bill mandates insurers to inform policyholders about this coverage option during renewals and sets a $200 deductible for property damage claims. This change directly affects drivers in Rhode Island who need to file claims for property damage caused by underinsured or uninsured drivers.

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7438: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

HB 7438 extends all extended benefits provided by Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to children placed in guardianship, which currently only applies to foster care. This bill amends DCYF's statutory authority to ensure children in permanent guardianship arrangements receive the same support services as those in foster care. The key mechanism is updating the department's powers to include guardianship under the scope of extended benefits eligibility. This policy change directly affects children under guardianship and their guardians by expanding access to DCYF services. The bill does not alter existing foster care benefits but ensures parity for children in guardianship.

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7356: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND CHECKS

HB 7356 requires all school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers to conduct comprehensive background checks for employees with regular student contact. The bill mandates applicants provide detailed employment history (last 20 years at schools or child-contact roles), written authorization for disclosure, and written statements about any past child abuse or sexual misconduct investigations, disciplinary actions, or license suspensions. Employers must verify this information by contacting former employers and documenting findings, with penalties including up to $500 for false statements. This directly affects school employees and aims to enhance student safety through thorough employment history checks beyond standard criminal records.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7282: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- STATE CRIME LABORATORY COMMISSION

Increases the membership of the state crime laboratory commission from five (5) to nine (9). The overseer and co-executive secretaries of the commission have been changed to the deans of URI's colleges of pharmacy and engineering.

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7287: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

Clarifies the process of depositing settlement funds from non-multi-state initiatives and require that settlements could not be spent without express general assembly authorization.

Bill results