Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5119: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

Limits the use by insurers of step therapy, a protocol that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer, by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Susan Donovan (D) Jennifer Boylan (D) Grace Diaz (D) David Morales (D) Michelle McGaw (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5894: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Amends §§ 14-1-3 and 14-5-8, relating to possession of marijuana and proceedings in family court ensuring that children under 17 years of age in possession of less than 2 oz of marijuana are subject to the jurisdiction of the family court.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5439: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS

Mandates that the clerk of the district court, upon request of the defendant, automatically seal individual counts of criminal complaints upon dismissal pursuant to rule 48(a) of the rules of criminal procedure for district court.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5501: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE

Prohibits the courts from setting cash or surety bail on any misdemeanor offense but permits the court to set reasonable non-monetary conditions of bail to assure the defendant's presence in court as required and to protect the community.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5072: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 5072 allows individuals with 2-5 misdemeanor convictions (but no felony convictions) to have those offenses expunged from their criminal records after completing their sentences for 10 years. The bill modifies existing expungement rules to create a new pathway specifically for people with multiple misdemeanors who lack felony convictions, requiring payment of all court fees and fines before eligibility. It does not apply to offenses under specific sections of the law or to individuals convicted of violent crimes. This change directly affects people with non-violent misdemeanor histories seeking to clear their records for employment or housing opportunities. The bill takes effect upon passage and is currently under review by the House Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5437: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- JAILS AND PRISONS

Prohibits individuals from conveying items to or from the training school for youth without prior consent by the executive director of the division of youth development at the department of children, youth and families.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 316: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

Requires a seventy-five percent (75%) supermajority vote by the board of directors to establish a quorum and to approve any action taken by the commerce corporation.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 903: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AGE-APPROPRIATE DESIGN CODE

Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5574: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

HB 5574 requires utility companies (like electric and telephone providers) to remove old utility poles within 30 days after installing a new pole alongside them. It mandates 72-hour notice to other pole users (e.g., cable or telecommunications companies) before removal work begins, with a $100 daily penalty for late removal. Fines collected from violations must be donated to the low-income home energy assistance program. This bill directly affects utility companies managing poles and aims to streamline pole replacement while ensuring timely removal of outdated infrastructure.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5502: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

HB 5502 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offense categories in the state's laws. It specifies that a felony involves imprisonment over one year or a fine over $1,000, a misdemeanor involves 6 months to 1 year imprisonment or a fine up to $1,000, a petty misdemeanor involves up to 6 months imprisonment or a fine up to $500, and a violation is punishable only by a fine under $500. The bill also explicitly states that any reference to "one year" in sentencing laws means 364 days, not 365. This definition change directly affects courts, prosecutors, and defendants when classifying criminal charges and determining penalties. The bill is currently pending further study after a committee hearing.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5922: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits a peace officer, as defined in § 12-7-21, from employing threats, physical harm, deprivation, deception, coercion, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during the custodial interrogation of a juvenile.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 6064: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- STATE IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR MINORS WITHOUT RESIDENCE ACT

Allows a minor between the ages of 14 -17 without a permanent residence/in custody of the DCYF to get state identification card without a signature from parent, guardian or foster parent as well as a certified copy of minor's birth certificate at no cost.

Bill results