Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8360: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

This bill prohibits pharmacy benefits managers from engaging in specific deceptive trade practices, including spread pricing, effective rate pricing, and patient steering. It directly affects pharmacy benefits managers, pharmacies, pharmacists, and patients enrolled in health plans administered by these managers within Rhode Island. The legislation defines prohibited actions such as charging higher prices than reimbursed amounts, steering patients toward affiliated pharmacies, penalizing enrollees for pharmacy choices, and misusing patient prescription data for business gain. Violations are classified as unfair and deceptive trade practices, allowing the attorney general to pursue legal remedies for each individual consumer transaction where a prohibited act occurs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8369: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Increases and reallocates the fees collected for motor vehicle inspections, including motorcycle inspections, with an allocation of ten dollars ($10.00) to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HR 8316: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $150,000 TO THE MAIN STREET RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM

This bill allocates $150,000 in state funding for the second year of the Main Street Rhode Island Program, which supports local downtown revitalization efforts across the state. The money will be managed by Grow Smart Rhode Island and distributed through the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to help existing and new district cohorts implement community improvement projects. The funding is specifically designated for fiscal year 2027 and must be disbursed by December 31, 2026, to support the program's administration and execution. This appropriation continues the initiative that launched in 2025 with 11 district cohorts representing 10 cities and towns.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 2430: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- SENIOR SAVINGS PROTECTION ACT

Requires anyone engaged in the sale of goods or services, and who offers a discount to its customers’ for utilizing automatic payment systems, via ACH or EFT or similar payment systems, provide the same discount to any person who is sixty-five (65).

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HR 7705: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $40,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

This bill appropriates $40,000 from the state treasury to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for participation in the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact (NFFPC). The NFFPC is a mutual aid agreement among seven New England states, New York, and five Canadian provinces that allows states to share firefighting resources during large wildfires. Rhode Island uses this compact to access specialized equipment and personnel from other jurisdictions when local resources are overwhelmed, and this funding covers the state's share of costs for wages, transportation, and maintenance when requesting assistance. The bill does not change the compact's rules but ensures Rhode Island meets its financial obligations under the existing agreement.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7698: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAX CREDIT FOR FOOD DONATION

HB 7698 creates a tax credit for businesses that donate "apparently wholesome food" (food safe for consumption meeting basic safety standards) to qualifying nonprofits. Businesses like restaurants, grocers, farms, and hospitals can claim a credit equal to 75% of the donated food's fair market value, capped at $5,000 annually per business. Nonprofits receiving donations must verify the food meets safety standards and is used to serve the needy, providing a certificate to the donor. The credit applies to taxes under specific chapters of the tax code and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7716: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT

HB 7716 amends Rhode Island's Cannabis Act by removing the requirement to list cannabinoid concentrations (like THC or CBD) as dry-weight percentages on product labels. This change directly affects cannabis businesses - including cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers - that must now display cannabinoid levels using a different method determined by the Cannabis Control Commission. The bill updates labeling standards without altering cannabis legality, age requirements, or licensing rules. It focuses solely on simplifying how product potency is communicated to consumers.

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7733: AN ACT RELATING TO THE EXETER -- WEST GREENWICH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Amends chapter 80 of the public laws of 1965 with respect to the composition of the regional district school building committee, apportionment of construction and operating costs and amendments to the agreement.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7741: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7722: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES-DENTAL INSURANCE COVERAGE

HB 7722 requires health insurers to pay dental benefits directly to non-contracted dentists when patients request it, provided the dentist meets the insurer’s credentialing standards. Insurers must pay at least the highest rate they pay to contracted dentists for the same service, with no more than a 5% reduction allowed. This applies to standard dental insurance policies but excludes hospital indemnity, Medicare supplements, and other limited benefit plans. The bill gives patients more choice in dental providers without insurers unfairly reducing payments based on non-participation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7717: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT

HB 7717 updates Rhode Island's cannabis law by removing the requirement for the Cannabis Advisory Board to establish five specific subcommittees (focused on public health, safety, industry, market participation, and social equity). The bill directly affects the advisory board, which previously had to form these subcommittees to develop recommendations. The key change is eliminating this statutory structure, allowing the board chair to appoint subcommittees as needed without mandatory categories. This is a procedural adjustment to the advisory board's operating framework, not a change to cannabis regulations or policies. The bill takes effect upon passage.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 2610: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

SB 2610 creates a legal cause of action for pet owners whose dogs or cats (defined as household pets) are intentionally or negligently injured or killed under specific circumstances. It allows owners to seek noneconomic damages - compensation for loss of companionship, love, and affection - ranging from a minimum of $500 for injury to $750 for death, with a maximum cap of $7,500. The law applies only when the incident occurs on the owner’s property or while the pet is under the owner’s direct supervision. It excludes government agencies and nonprofits acting in public health or animal welfare roles, and defines "seriously injured" as requiring stitches for broken bones or permanent disfigurement.

Bill results