Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7843: AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND DECENTRALIZED AUTONOMOUS ORGANIZATION ACT

Establishes the “Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) Act” that would position Rhode Island as a forward-thinking leader in blockchain innovation by giving DAOs clear legal status as limited liability companies.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7861: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES

Prohibits the use of genetic information for purposes of determining eligibility, setting premium rates, or imposing preexisting condition exclusions for life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7860: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES

Establishes minimum limitations standards for structural property damage claims, and voids any policy provision, endorsement, condition, limitation, agreement, or claim practice that shortens those standards.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7835: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- ARCHITECTS

HB 7835 amends Rhode Island's architecture registration laws, affecting individual architects and architecture firms. It changes certificate expiration dates to December 31 of odd-numbered years for individuals and even-numbered years for firms. The bill requires firms to obtain a separate "certificate of authorization" from the board, mandating that two-thirds of leadership (partners/directors/managers) be registered architects, with one-third specifically registered in architecture (not engineering), and the person in charge must be a registered architect within the firm. Firms must submit detailed organizational information to the board and renew their authorization every two years.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7895: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SAFE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 2026

HB 7895 proposes the Safe School Technology Act of 2026, which would establish new regulations for technology use in schools. The bill directly affects school districts, educational institutions, and technology vendors by setting standards for implementing surveillance and monitoring systems in educational settings. Key provisions would likely include guidelines for data privacy, requirements for parental notification, and standards for how student information is collected and stored through school technology systems. This legislation aims to create a framework for balancing safety concerns with privacy rights in the digital school environment.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7893: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- OFFENSES PERTAINING TO SCHOOLS

Bans preferential treatment to a public or private university applicant because of the student's familial relationship to a previous university attendee.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7858: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Requires that any private short-term disability insurance (STDI) carrier that bids to provide coverage to Rhode Island state employees must cover all eligible employees, regardless of age.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7907: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Expands council on elementary and secondary education and board of education and makes teacher of year and student advisory chair voting members on each.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2702: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- CONDOMINIUM LAW

SB 2702 requires condominium associations to charge a lower fee when updating a resale certificate after the initial certificate has been issued. This directly affects condo associations (which manage community fees) and condo sellers/buyers (who need updated resale certificates to sell units). The key change is setting a reduced fee for these subsequent updates, rather than the standard rate. This policy aims to lower costs for homeowners during property sales without altering the initial certificate process. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Housing and Municipal Government committee.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 8084: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

Makes persons convicted of simple possession of controlled substances, eligible to have their records expunged three (3) years after imposition of their sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 8083: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 8083 allows individuals convicted of non-violent felonies to have their criminal records cleared (expunged) after 10 years from their conviction date. This applies to people with multiple non-violent felony convictions, not violent offenses. The key provision sets a 10-year waiting period from the date of conviction before expungement becomes possible. The bill directly affects eligible individuals seeking to remove past non-violent felony convictions from their legal records.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 8085: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 8085 would allow people convicted of petty misdemeanors to have their criminal records permanently removed from public access one year after completing their sentence. This bill directly affects individuals with minor criminal convictions who currently face barriers to employment or housing due to these records. The key provision lowers the waiting period for expungement from longer terms (which may have existed under prior law) to just one year post-sentence. If passed, it would make the expungement process more accessible for this specific group of offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Bill results