Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 5745: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION -- STUDENT SUCCESS ACT

Reduces the time, from three (3) years to six (6) months, required for a nonimmigrant foreign national student, who has resided in Rhode Island, to be eligible to pay the same in-state tuition as any other Rhode Island student.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 6209: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS

Includes any costs paid by an enrollee or on behalf of the enrollee by a third party when calculating an enrollee’s overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum or cost sharing requirement under a health plan as of January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 6210: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE

Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's medical care and treatment shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 687: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

SB 687 proposes several changes to the regulation of nurses and the Board of Nursing. The bill revises the composition of the Board of Nursing, adjusting the number and types of professional nurses, practical nurses, and public members, and extends board member terms from three to four years. It also updates the board's powers, allowing it to require physical or psychiatric examinations for licensees with probable cause of impairment and refer them to non-disciplinary alternative programs. Additionally, it clarifies the qualifications for practical nurse applicants and streamlines the electronic license renewal process. These changes directly affect licensed nurses and the state's Board of Nursing.

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 5780: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- NATIONAL GUARD

This bill expands educational benefits for members of the Rhode Island National Guard and their immediate family dependents. It allows National Guard members in good standing to allocate their tuition assistance benefits, which cover up to five courses per semester, to their dependents for use at Rhode Island state colleges or universities. To receive these benefits, both the National Guard member must remain in good standing with the Guard, and the student (member or dependent) must be in good academic standing. Participants agree to one year of additional service in the National Guard for every twelve course credits received, with provisions for repayment if service obligations or academic requirements are not met.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 32: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID

Includes municipal detention facility corporations as exempt from taxation, and requires that an amount equal to 27% of all tax that would have been collected if the property was taxable be paid to the municipality annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 1, 2025

SB 300: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- FOREST CONSERVATION ACT -- COMPOSITION OF STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, PUBLIC AUTHORITIES, AND QUASI-PUBLIC CORPORATIONS

Removes appointees of state boards, commissions, public authorities and quasi-public who have a corporate/business interest in the subject matter of the board or commission.

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 6049: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES

HB 6049 proposes to increase the daily compensation for grand and petit jurors serving in superior court. This bill would raise the juror fee from twenty-five dollars to fifty dollars per day, with the change taking effect on July 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill includes a provision allowing jurors to donate their daily fee to the state, with these funds specifically allocated to the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center. The General Assembly would be required to annually appropriate funds to cover these juror fees.

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 6138: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

Permits retired superior court magistrates to be assigned to perform service pursuant to §§ 8-2-11.1, 8-2-39, 8-2-39.1 or 8-2-39.2 and be reemployed by the superior court without any forfeiture or reduction of any retirement benefits.

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 5747: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

HB 5747 establishes a new Board of Trustees for the University of Rhode Island (URI), making it a public corporation with legal title to URI property. This Board assumes powers and duties for URI previously held by the Council on Postsecondary Education, becoming the employer of record for university faculty and staff. The bill grants the Board authority to manage its own procurement processes and requires it to define and implement performance-based measures for the university. Additionally, it mandates the Board to develop transfer pathways for students from community colleges and ensure URI accepts Advanced Placement scores of 3 or better for course credit.

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 5476: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 5476, titled "AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION," modifies the state's existing hotel tax law. The bill removes the current exemption for houses, condominiums, or other residential dwellings when they are rented out in their entirety. This means that such properties, when rented, would become subject to the five percent (5%) state hotel tax. The bill directly affects owners who rent out their entire residential properties and the individuals who occupy them. These changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2025

HB 5280: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

HB 5280, the "Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Act," aims to provide inclusive educational opportunities at state colleges and universities for students aged 18-21 with severe intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or other severe developmental disabilities who receive special education services. The bill allows these students to participate in credit or non-credit courses, internships, and campus life without requiring a high school diploma or college entrance exams. Their participation is considered an approved special education service and a form of secondary school education, covered if addressed in their Individualized Education Program. While state institutions can set selection guidelines, they cannot deny opportunities solely based on disability, and they are not required to fund individual supports beyond typical provisions.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results