Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2522: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTERCHANGE FEE RESTRICTION ACT

Creates the interchange fee restriction act prohibiting interchange fees on sales and use tax or excise tax when payment is made with a credit or debit card.

Walter Felag (D) Matt LaMountain (D) John Burke (D) Lou Raptakis (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7900: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RESIDENCE OF CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES

Ensures any public school with available seats, after completion of the initial enrollment period for students, shall make all open seats available to other students residing within the same school district.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7892: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Requires the development of a comprehensive collaborative course that provides students with accurate information and instruction on risks of wildfires while creating action plan to mitigate loss in case of a wildfire in all K-12 schools within the state.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8012: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- RHODE ISLAND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACT

HB 8012, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, allows cities and towns to use automated camera systems to detect specific traffic violations that endanger pedestrians. It authorizes fines of $50 for violations like failing to yield to pedestrians, stopping improperly at crosswalks, or ignoring stop signs, primarily in school zones, hospital areas, work zones, or high-pedestrian-risk locations. Registered vehicle owners - not drivers - are liable for fines, with municipalities required to send detailed violation notices including photos/videos and appeal options. For the first 30 days after implementation, cities must issue warnings instead of fines to educate drivers. The law does not create new traffic offenses but enables local enforcement of existing pedestrian safety rules through automated monitoring.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7941: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Requires insurers to pay electronic claims for healthcare coverage within 14 calendar days of receipt. Permits healthcare providers to dispute claim denials within 60 days and empowers the secretary of EOHHS to establish penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2643: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES

Provides that stores offering food product discounts must provide the same discounts to in-store customers that are offered to customers using electronic digital coupons.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8117: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT-- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Repeals 42-56-38.1 and requires the department of corrections to provide free communication services to inmates and juveniles held in residential placement or detention centers and requires that those facilities provide in-person contact visits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8077: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS

Provides for municipal and state police authorities to acquire and to utilize automated license plate readers and identify what data may be collected and in what ways the data can be used.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8014: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- FARMLAND PRESERVATION ACT

Prohibits any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 8059: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES

Allows nonprofit organizations to participate in permitted games of chance upon registering with the state police on an annual basis. The nonprofit would be exempt from any required background checks by local law enforcement.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 7947: 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, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2642: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- PROTECTING RHODE ISLANDERS FROM COERCIVE ECONOMIC TACTICS AT GROCERY STORES

SB 2642 would establish new regulations to prevent grocery stores in Rhode Island from using coercive tactics that pressure consumers into unwanted purchases or fees, such as requiring additional items to access discounts. The bill creates a dedicated legal framework within commercial law to specifically prohibit these unfair practices. This directly affects all grocery stores operating in Rhode Island and protects consumers from being subjected to such tactics. The policy change focuses on defining and banning these specific coercive behaviors through enforceable rules.

Bill results