Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 866: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Provides a three thousand dollar ($3,000) stipend to a qualified applicant who successfully completes the job training program of the department of human services or department of children, youth and families.

Bob Britto (D) Mark McKenney (D) Lammis Vargas (D) David Tikoian (D) Pete Appollonio (D)

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 100: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM

SB 100 eliminates the sunset date for child care assistance for eligible child care educators and staff working at least 20 hours weekly in licensed facilities. This permanent change (previously set to expire July 2025) ensures ongoing funding for these workers to access child care while they work, directly affecting early childhood educators and staff providing services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The bill requires the department to provide this assistance without time limits, maintaining the same eligibility criteria as current programs. This policy change specifically modifies Section (k) of the Rhode Island Works Program, making a temporary provision permanent for affected child care professionals.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 5788: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

This bill prohibits retailers from charging sales tax on refundable deposits for batteries or core charges when customers return used vehicle parts (like batteries or auto components). It directly affects retailers selling batteries and motor vehicle parts, requiring them to hold these deposits in trust for the state and not include them in taxable sales. The tax department must notify retailers about this exemption and post clear notices at their stores. The policy change takes effect immediately upon passage, removing tax from these specific refundable fees.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 6175: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 6175 requires new residential developments of 10 or more units to include 15% affordable housing units, defined as housing for households earning ≤80% of area median income. Developers must provide units of comparable quality to market-rate housing, which must remain affordable for 30 years via enforceable restrictions. Alternatives include building on-site, off-site construction, land donation, or paying a fee-in-lieu (minimum $40,000 per unit) to fund local affordable housing. Municipalities must manage fee-in-lieu funds through dedicated accounts and allocate them within three years for housing serving low/moderate-income residents. The bill applies directly to developers and municipalities implementing zoning ordinances.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 6070: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

Provides that exemptions to the prohibition of liquor licenses within two hundred feet (200') of schools or places of worship do not eliminate neighboring property owners’ remonstrance rights to object to the license.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 928: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- REGULATION OF VICIOUS DOGS

Changes term vicious to dangerous dogs, expands on requirements relative to leashes, enclosures, addresses fines, requires signage, mandates dangerous dogs be kept in enclosure and provides other requirements.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 5401: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 5401 removes pet care services (such as grooming, boarding, and daycare) from the list of taxable services under Rhode Island's sales tax law. This change means pet care businesses will no longer have to collect sales tax on their services, directly affecting these providers and their customers. The bill repeals the specific reference to "pet care services (812910)" in the tax code that previously included them under taxable services. Veterinary and testing laboratory services remain taxable, as they were excluded from this repeal. The policy change would take effect upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 5268: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOME-FIT DWELLING UNITS

Creates the home-fit dwelling units act to apply to all new construction of covered dwelling units to incorporate design features that provide safe and convenient use of to the greatest extent feasible, regardless of age or physical ability.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 673: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND EARLY EDUCATOR WORKFORCE ACT

Directs the DHS and the department of education to work collaboratively to sustain and strengthen existing workforce development and compensation programs for educators working in licensed child care and early learning programs statewide.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 6014: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES--LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

Exempts from the sales tax firearm safety equipment, storage devices, gun safes, gun cabinets, gun vaults, gun cases, strong boxes, cable locks, trigger locks and biometric locks.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 5374: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE -- RHODE ISLAND INCLUSIVE HOME DESIGN ACT

Establishes a new article in the state building code that provides that certain new housing construction contain at least one floor that meets the requirements for a Type C "ANSI'' Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 551: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

SB 551 allows animal control officers to immediately seize animals suspected of neglect or cruelty *before* criminal charges are resolved, requiring a 48-hour notice of a court hearing for permanent rehoming. If a court finds evidence of cruelty or neglect by a preponderance of the evidence, it can terminate the owner’s rights to the animal. Owners must pay reasonable care costs incurred during seizure, and the court may schedule the rehoming hearing before criminal proceedings conclude. The bill directly affects animal owners in cases of neglect, abandonment, or hazardous accumulation (overcrowded conditions), and applies to all animals except those in licensed research facilities or during legal hunting/consumption.

Bill results