Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7360: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- PROTECT OUR COURTS ACT

Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Cherie Cruz (D) Grace Diaz (D) Brandon Potter (D) David Morales (D) Carol McEntee (D)

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7350: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANION MODELS

Creates additional safety features for AI companion technology that include addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial harm to others expressed by a user. It also requires notification the AI companion does not have human emotions.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7349: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT

This bill establishes new rules for using artificial intelligence in mental health care. It requires licensed mental health professionals (like therapists and counselors) to get specific written consent from clients before using AI tools in therapy sessions, and prohibits AI from simulating emotional bonds or making therapeutic decisions. The law allows AI only for administrative tasks (e.g., scheduling) or supplementary support (e.g., analyzing anonymized data for progress tracking), while ensuring therapists maintain full responsibility for care. It directly affects all mental health providers and organizations offering therapy services in the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✗ Technology

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7030: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT

Establishes the healthcare worker platform and would require platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the department of health by June 1, 2027, while, specifically, exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✗ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2347: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGULATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES AMONG MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND DEALERS

Extends certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, as well as updates warranty reimbursement and recalls obligation policies.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7424: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- COLLABORATIVE PHARMACY PRACTICE

Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7434: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

This bill prohibits ICE employees, agents, or officials from being within 200 feet of any polling place during voting hours. It directly affects ICE personnel by restricting their presence near voting locations during elections. The key provision adds a new section to election law creating a 200-foot buffer zone around polling places to prevent potential interference. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not alter voting procedures or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Immigration

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 8614: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION FEES

This bill allows disabled veterans who meet specific injury or disability criteria to receive special "Disabled Veteran" license plates for their vehicles. It also permits these plates to be transferred to a veteran's spouse if the veteran can no longer drive, or if the veteran passes away, allowing the spouse to keep them for life or until remarriage. Additionally, the law enables the issuance of these plates directly to a veteran's spouse under certain conditions, provided official certification of eligibility is submitted. The changes apply to eligible individuals and their spouses regarding vehicle registration and the use of designated license plates.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2978: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW

This bill extends legal immunity protections to advanced practice registered nurses, granting them the same liability protections as physicians under Virginia's mental health law. The key provision states that neither physicians nor licensed advanced practice registered nurses can be held liable in court for their participation in mental health proceedings unless actual fraud or gross, willful, or wanton negligence is proven. It also clarifies that neither group can be sued for damages resulting from a patient exercising rights protected by the mental health law, such as discharge decisions, even if those actions contradict written medical orders. This change directly affects mental health facilities and healthcare providers by aligning the legal protections for nurses with those for physicians in this specific context.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2996: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS

Creates three (3) new awards for Rhode Island National Guard members and would provide eligibility for the Rhode Island star for certain civilian government employees and military and civilian leaders of foreign governments.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2827: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Exempts certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2810: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAX PREPARERS ACT OF 2013

This bill, titled the Tax Preparers Act of 2013, establishes rules and penalties for tax return preparers in the state, specifically targeting those who act as "ghost preparers" or intentionally mislead clients. It defines a ghost preparer as someone who prepares tax returns without properly identifying themselves or complying with federal identification requirements, and clarifies who qualifies as a tax return preparer under state law. The legislation requires all preparers to sign returns with their Preparer Tax Identification Number and prohibits them from facilitating ghost preparation activities. Penalties range from $500 to $10,000 depending on the severity of violations, including willful fraud or misleading taxpayers, and the tax administrator may suspend or revoke a preparer's license for noncompliance. Additionally, the bill mandates that the tax administrator publish a list of preparers whose privileges have been suspended or revoked.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results