Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 2333: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

SB 2333 creates a special motor vehicle registration plate for the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame, a not-for-profit entity. Vehicle owners who choose this plate pay a one-time $40 surcharge (split $20 to the state general fund and $20 to the Hall of Fame) and a $10 annual renewal fee, all going to support Rhode Island hockey initiatives. The Hall of Fame must use these funds for Rhode Island-based hockey charities and submit annual financial reports. The plate design is approved jointly by the Hall of Fame and the state police, and it replaces standard registration plates.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 2379: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 7377: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITIES

Requires party chairpersons to submit lists of party voters to the mayor or council president within 30 days of notice of vacancy in a municipal election office and mayor/council president are required to make a replacement nomination within 30 days.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HR 8351: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RHODE ISLAND'S EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA AND EDUCATION FINANCE SYSTEM

Creates a special joint legislative commission to make a comprehensive study of Rhode Island's education funding formula and education finance system.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3339: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

Prohibits ICE employees, agents or officials from being within two hundred feet (200') of any polling place during voting, including early voting and election day voting.

Topics ✓ Immigration

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SR 3368: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RHODE ISLAND'S EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA AND EDUCATION FINANCE SYSTEM

Creates a special joint legislative commission to make a comprehensive study of Rhode Island's education funding formula and education finance system.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8582: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY FREEDOM OF CHOICE--FAIR COMPETITION AND PRACTICES

This bill strengthens oversight of pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacy benefit management services in Rhode Island by requiring them to register with the Department of Business Regulation and file detailed public reports on their financial arrangements and corporate relationships. It mandates that these managers cannot stop pharmacists from telling patients about drug costs or alternative purchasing options, and it prohibits charging copayments that exceed the actual amount the pharmacy receives for dispensing a prescription. Additionally, the law requires a streamlined appeal process for pharmacies to resolve disputes over multi-source generic drug pricing within fifteen days. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure fair competition in how prescription drug benefits are administered.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8579: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ACT

Requires pharmacy benefit managers to apply for certificate of authority from DBR to operate such a business in this state. Empowers the health insurance commissioner to oversee pharmacy benefit managers and penalize violations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3282: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICIES

This bill expands the ability of people with Medicare to buy supplemental insurance without being rejected due to their health history. It directly affects individuals who enroll in these plans outside their initial enrollment period, including those under 65 with disabilities or kidney disease. The key change requires insurers to offer coverage without medical underwriting during specific times, such as the annual enrollment period, as long as there has been no significant gap in prior coverage. Additionally, the law mandates that these policies cannot deny benefits based on preexisting conditions that occurred within six months of the policy start date.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8595: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICIES

This bill expands the ability for people to buy Medicare supplement insurance without being denied coverage based on their health history. It specifically helps individuals under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability or kidney disease, as well as those who have maintained continuous coverage since their initial enrollment period. The law requires insurers to offer these policies without medical underwriting or charging higher premiums due to preexisting conditions during specific enrollment windows. By removing these barriers, the bill aims to ensure broader access to supplemental health coverage for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3224: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- QUONSET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

This bill prohibits the Quonset Development Corporation from allowing any thermal waste conversion facilities, such as pyrolysis plants, to be built or operated within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park. The legislation defines these facilities as those that use high heat to turn solid waste into energy or fuel and applies to all land managed by the corporation. It includes a "sunset clause" that will automatically end the ban on February 1, 2027, unless renewed. Additionally, the law protects any projects already underway before the bill takes effect from being shut down.

Topics ✗ Energy

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SR 3225: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY SLUDGE MANAGEMENT IN RHODE ISLAND

This bill creates a special twenty-one-member legislative commission to study how Rhode Island manages waste sludge from wastewater and pollution control facilities. The commission includes representatives from government agencies, industry groups, local communities, and academic experts, with members serving without pay. Its main task is to review current practices, particularly at the Woonsocket incinerator, and propose sustainable solutions like new disposal technologies. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by April 1, 2027, after which the commission will dissolve.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results