Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 5933: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

HB 5933 allows any person aged 18 or older who holds a valid license or permit to carry a stun gun. This bill specifically amends existing weapons laws to include stun guns under the same permit requirements as other weapons, meaning licensed individuals 18+ can now legally carry them in public. The change directly affects permit holders aged 18 and older, expanding their legal ability to carry stun guns without additional restrictions. The bill does not change age limits for other weapons or create new licensing requirements, only clarifying that stun guns fall under existing permit rules.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 5651: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT -- JUVENILE RECORDS

HB 5651 allows state agencies to access juvenile criminal records for firearm background checks until the individual turns 21. This affects people who were juveniles (under 18) at the time of an offense and are now under 21 when seeking to purchase a firearm. The bill amends existing law to create a specific exception to the usual sealing of juvenile records, permitting their use in National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks for firearms. It maintains standard confidentiality protections for juvenile records in all other contexts, including public access and other legal proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 6042: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

HB 6042 exempts certain U.S. federal employees (who are already authorized by federal law to carry concealed firearms) from needing a Rhode Island state license to carry pistols or revolvers, either visibly or concealed. It amends two existing sections of Rhode Island's weapons law (§ 11-47-9.1 and § 11-47-35.1) to explicitly include these federal employees in the list of exempt individuals, alongside police officers and other authorized personnel. The bill does not change who may carry firearms under federal law but removes a state licensing requirement for those already cleared federally. It would take effect upon passage, though it is currently under further study by the House Judiciary Committee.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 5654: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Prohibits local licensing authorities from issuing a concealed carry permit to out of state residents based on permits issued by authorities from other states or subdivisions.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 5935: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS -- CONCEALED CARRY REFORM

Expands firearm rights to recognize out of state carry permits, authorizes weapons carried during emergency evacuation and establishes an appeal process for permit denied.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 5891: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

HB 5891 prohibits individuals with certain criminal histories from purchasing or possessing firearms. It directly affects people convicted of felonies (including nolo contendere pleas), crimes of violence, fugitives from justice, or specific misdemeanors involving force or weapons (like simple assault, cyberstalking, or violating protective orders). The law expands existing restrictions to include more felony convictions and certain misdemeanor offenses, with exceptions for expunged records or completed probation. This policy change aims to limit firearm access for individuals with prior serious legal violations, effective upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 5889: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 5889 amends a state law to allow law enforcement agencies to review expunged criminal records when processing applications for a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver. This specifically affects individuals who have had criminal convictions expunged but are applying for firearm permits, as they must now disclose prior convictions that were previously hidden. The bill modifies existing expungement rules to explicitly permit law enforcement access to expunged records for this limited purpose. It does not change how expungement works for other applications like employment or education licenses. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 5890: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

HB 5890 prohibits anyone under 18 from possessing a firearm in Rhode Island, except in specific supervised situations. It allows minors to use firearms only at approved camps or ranges with a parent, guardian, or "qualified adult" (21+ with legal firearm rights), during supervised hunting, ROTC, competitive shooting, or firearms education programs. The bill also permits minors to carry unloaded firearms in a case to/from these approved locations when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or qualified adult. These provisions take effect upon passage and directly affect minors under 18 seeking to possess or transport firearms.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 751: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- NOTIFICATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AFTER EXPOSURE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES

SB 751 amends existing law to explicitly include COVID-19 in the definition of "infectious disease" for first responders. This change ensures that firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who are exposed to COVID-19 while on duty can access the same occupational disability benefits as for other covered diseases like HIV or hepatitis. The bill updates definitions in the law (specifically in sections 23-28.36-1, 23-28.36-2, and 23-28.36-4) to clarify that exposure to COVID-19 qualifies for notification and disability benefits under the existing framework. It does not create new procedures but ensures current protections apply to COVID-19 cases.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 772: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Increases the number of state child care licensing inspectors to meet the national recommended average of one inspector for every fifty (50) to sixty (60) child care providers.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 827: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- WORK ON HOLIDAYS AND SUNDAYS

SB 827 requires casinos to pay overtime to workers who work on Sundays or designated holidays, such as New Year's Day or Christmas. This bill directly affects casino employees in Rhode Island, as it amends the state's labor law to include them under overtime protections previously excluded. The key change modifies the definition of "employee" to remove casinos from the list of exempt workplaces, ensuring they follow standard overtime rules for holiday and Sunday shifts. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not alter other exemptions, like those for restaurants or healthcare workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 240: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- RHODE ISLAND CHILDCARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT

Creates the Rhode Island Childcare Assistance Program that governs both family eligibility for the state’s childcare subsidy program and expands eligibility for the program to meet the federal eligibility benchmark.

Bill results