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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 25,118 Active 7,678 In committee 7,673 Passed 5,630 Signed 4,797 Failed 6,972

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 735: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- POLICE OFFICERS -- COMMISSION ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING

SB 735 creates a new certification program at municipal police academies that allows officers from other departments to become certified without repeating full training. It directly affects municipal police officers who have worked full-time as sworn law enforcement officers for at least one year, with comparable training and no more than an eight-year break in service. The bill establishes specific requirements for this certification, including meeting existing training standards and completing a review under the Commission on Standards and Training. This program aims to streamline certification for officers moving between departments while maintaining consistent training quality across municipal agencies.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 875: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

SB 875 would shorten the waiting period to clear criminal records (expungement) for certain convictions. People with a single misdemeanor could expunge records after 3 years (down from 5), and those with felonies or multiple misdemeanors after 5 years (down from 10). The bill applies to individuals who have completed their sentences and paid all court fees, but excludes convictions for violent crimes or specific drug offenses listed in the law. It would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 6085: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET METERING

HB 6085 amends net metering rules to allow ground-mounted solar systems on "preferred sites" within core forests to bypass existing size limits. Specifically, it exempts these systems from the 275 MWac cap that applies to most ground-mounted installations, while maintaining a 100,000 square foot limit on forest removal for such projects. The bill directly affects renewable energy developers seeking to build solar facilities in designated forest areas, removing a key barrier to development on preferred sites. Systems on preferred sites must still meet interconnection requirements but are no longer counted toward the overall capacity cap, streamlining development in these locations.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 6119: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT OF 2004 -- HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT

Adds to the powers and duties of the OHIC the undertaking of analyses, reports, studies, and recommendations with respect to reimbursement and financing for the provision of primary care services to Rhode Islanders.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5260: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Extends the voluntary extension of care (VEC) program pursuant to § 14-1-6 to children in the juvenile justice system and children who attain reunification prior to their eighteenth (18th) birthday, however, the reunification is not successful.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5583: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 5583 restricts utility-scale solar projects (10 MW or larger) to locations on developed urban land, commercial properties, rooftops, or parking lots - banning development on forested land, farmland, or rural areas over one acre. It directly affects solar developers and landowners seeking to build large solar installations on undeveloped rural properties. The bill amends zoning laws to require that such projects serve existing developed areas rather than open rural landscapes. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5863: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBILITY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE ACT

Requires each healthcare entity/network plan to compile/report to health insurance commissioner a summary of how the healthcare entity/network plan requires its contracted providers to submit claims for in-network outpatient behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5579: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Requires the public utilities commission to produce a report each January containing an analysis of the electric grid and its ability to supply the electricity needs to power cars, buildings and heat homes within the state.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5648: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCE AND EXECUTION

Requires sentencing court to consider whether defendant is parent of child, or caregiver of elderly, disabled or terminally ill person whose well-being would be adversely affected by the person's incarceration and if so, shall impose a non-jail sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5862: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

HB 5862 requires insurance companies to prove that a healthcare service or procedure is not medically necessary before denying coverage. This directly affects patients seeking care and insurers who must justify denials of services authorized by their healthcare providers. The bill creates a presumption that any service a provider authorizes is medically necessary, shifting the burden of proof from patients to insurers. If passed, insurers would need to provide specific justification for denials rather than relying on general policy reasons.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5255: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT OF 2004 -- HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT

Includes the definition of "primary care services" and requires that all biennial reports shall include a review and recommendation of rates for primary care services on and after September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 5578: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION

HB 5578 prohibits public utility providers from increasing internet connection service rates for customers aged 62 or older, effective January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects senior citizens (62+) who rely on utility-provided internet services, preventing rate hikes specifically for this group. It applies to all providers offering internet connection services as defined in the bill, without requiring new regulatory processes. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and aims to maintain stable internet costs for seniors.

Topics ✓ Technology