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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,118 Active 7,678 In committee 7,673 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972

died · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 2138: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

Makes changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7116: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Requires the department of education to develop and make available for use in all schools a mental health curriculum. School districts would be required to provide four (4) hours of mental health instruction to seventh grade students.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7025: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

HB 7025 requires Rhode Island school committees to provide transportation for any student living two or more miles from their assigned school. This policy change directly affects school committees statewide and the students who reside at that distance from their school. The bill amends existing law to explicitly mandate this transportation service as a specific duty of school committees, adding it to their list of responsibilities under Section 16-2-9(21). The requirement applies to all public school districts and takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7171: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PATIENT PAYMENT INFORMATION

Prohibits a healthcare provider from requiring patients to provide electronic payment information to be kept on file as a condition to receiving treatment and makes it a violation a deceptive trade practice.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7236: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- THE EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT AND BUDGET EQUITY IMPACT ACT

Establishes a two-year pilot program, from January 2027 to December 2028, to incorporate equity impact statements into the legislative process for both the House and Senate chamber.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7155: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Provides that testimony submitted on behalf of state departments, agencies, boards or commissions would not be considered official unless authorized by the governor.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7193: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS - COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING

Requires mandatory training standards for police officers and trainees, in identifying, responding, and handling all incidents involving any person with a developmental disability.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7022: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES

HB 7022 requires businesses to clearly inform customers when they charge a credit card surcharge or fee. Starting January 1, 2027, businesses must post conspicuous notices at the point of sale (or on restaurant menus) stating the surcharge amount or percentage. Failure to provide this notice would be considered an unfair or deceptive trade practice under existing law. The bill directly affects businesses that impose credit card payment fees, ensuring customers are aware of these costs before completing transactions.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7235: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

HB 7235 clarifies that Rhode Island's General Assembly retains exclusive authority to approve or deny nuclear plant construction projects, explicitly reserving this power despite other state or local laws. The bill amends Section 42-64-14.1 of the General Laws to maintain legislative oversight for nuclear plant projects, ensuring they require direct General Assembly approval rather than relying on other regulatory processes. This change directly affects developers seeking to build nuclear facilities in Rhode Island, as they must now obtain specific legislative approval before construction. The bill does not eliminate the approval requirement but formally reinforces the General Assembly’s jurisdiction over such projects. The measure is currently pending further study after committee consideration.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7304: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

Allows a pregnant member or member that has given birth in the past six (6) months to appear remotely and permits any member that participates in a meeting remotely to vote at that meeting, provided that the meeting is held in person.

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 7266: 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 Jan 27, 2026

HB 7181: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES

Provides that health clubs must discontinue automatic deductions from the consumer's account or credit card within 30 calendar days of receiving a notice to stop from the consumer.