Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 86: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TERMINATION OF SERVICE TO PERSONS WHO ARE DISABLED, SERIOUSLY ILL, OR IN ARREARS OF PAYMENT

Extends the forbearance of utility terminations for customers with serious illness certifications and would amend various provisions related to the termination of utility services for persons who are disabled, seriously ill, or in arrears.

Bob Britto (D) Brian Thompson (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Lammis Vargas (D) Ana Quezada (D)

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 907: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

Redefines "political party" and defines and distinguishes between "major parties" and "minor parties" based on the total number of votes a party's candidate received in the previous election.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 5706: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

Replaces the coastal resources management council with a state department of coastal resources and transfer all of the powers and duties between the two (2) authorities.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 927: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- CODE OF ETHICS

Increases, for persons subject to the Code of Ethics, the maximum value of an acceptable gift to $50.00 from a single interested person, but in no case can the gift have an aggregate value of more than $250 in any calendar year.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 6164: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

HB 6164 creates a new bureau of public protection within Rhode Island's Attorney General's office to address consumer protection, health care regulation, environmental issues, and civil rights. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and take legal action against businesses or organizations engaging in repeated illegal activities that harm the public, including seeking court orders to stop such conduct and recover restitution or fines. It requires the bureau to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing investigations, court applications, and outcomes like injunctions or penalties. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not apply to entities already exempted under existing law.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 682: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY

SB 682 requires all Rhode Island hospitals to have a notary public on staff and available 24/7, including through the patient services department. This directly affects hospitals and patients needing to notarize healthcare documents like advance directives, powers of attorney, or wills during hospitalization. The bill mandates that notaries must be available for in-room visits upon request (with valid ID), and documents must be signed in their presence. It takes effect upon passage and does not specify penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SR 342: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $32,594,799 TO THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $32,594,799 to the RI Public Transit Authority to continue services, hire and train more bus operators, and implement the State's Act on Climate goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 385: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION -- 2025 UTILITY COMPANY BILLING TRANSPARENCY ACT

SB 385 requires large electric and gas utility companies (with over 100,000 customers) in Rhode Island to provide clearer explanations of bill charges before changing rates. It mandates that companies file detailed plans with the Public Utilities Commission showing how they will manage revenue from rate changes, including annual reconciliation of over- or under-recovered funds. The bill also requires annual infrastructure and safety spending plans, with approval needed for investments in grid reliability and energy efficiency. These changes aim to make billing more transparent for residential customers and ensure rate decisions align with system reliability goals. The law directly affects major utility providers like Rhode Island Energy and sets new requirements for how they structure billing and rate proposals.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 92: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- RIDESHARE OR TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY VEHICLE SURCHARGE

Imposes a seventy-five cent (0.75) surcharge on fares charged by rideshare companies as well as an account to benefit RIPTA from the payment of sales taxes collected from rideshares.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 821: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- THREATS AND EXTORTION

SB 821 expands the definition of "public official" under Rhode Island's threat law to explicitly include state government caseworkers and investigators. This means threatening these social workers - who help individuals access government resources like benefits or childcare - will now be treated as a felony under the same law that protects elected officials, judges, and law enforcement. The bill amends existing law by adding caseworkers/investigators to the list of protected individuals and defines "state government caseworker" as a social worker providing such services. The change makes threatening these workers punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 472: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT

Requires the state to implement the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact no later than July 1, 2025. Also restores access to telemedicine for all Rhode Island residents and allows treatment by out-of-state providers who register with DOH.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SR 56: SENATE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PROTECT PATIENTS AND TRADITIONAL MEDICARE FROM MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

This resolution (SR 56) urges the U.S. Congress to protect Traditional Medicare and patients from Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. It highlights that MA plans - enrolled by 54% of Medicare beneficiaries - often cost more than Traditional Medicare, restrict provider networks, require unnecessary prior authorizations, and disproportionately enroll disadvantaged groups. The resolution specifically calls for federal action to require transparency in MA billing, regulate misleading marketing, prevent "cherry-picking" of healthy enrollees, and redirect funds from MA plans toward expanding Traditional Medicare. As a state-level resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests congressional and administrative steps to address these issues.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results