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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 5 In committee 20,549 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2432: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR EAGLE SCOUT AND GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS

SB 2432 would require Rhode Island's public colleges (URI, RIC, CCRI) to automatically admit qualifying residents who earned an Eagle Scout rank (Scouting America) or Gold Award (Girl Scouts of the USA), provided they meet basic application requirements like submitting required documents. It does not guarantee admission to competitive programs like nursing or engineering, nor does it affect tuition costs or residency rules. Institutions must verify awards through official documentation, and admission remains subject to meeting all non-academic application steps. The bill takes effect for Fall 2026 applications and applies only to state residents.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2480: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

SB 2480 makes traffic accident data publicly accessible as a public record, subject to restrictions under federal law (23 U.S.C. § 407). Public bodies must provide written notice of these federal usage restrictions when releasing the data. The bill does not change federal law but requires government entities to make this data available to the public while prohibiting its use for purposes banned by the federal statute. This directly affects citizens seeking traffic accident information and government agencies managing public records.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SR 2436: JOINT RESOLUTION AMENDING THE JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A PERMANENT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON CHILD CARE IN RHODE ISLAND

Amends the membership of the permanent legislative commission on child care with twenty-seven (27) members to ensure that the state has high quality and affordable childcare and early learning services network.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7576: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

HB 7576 makes traffic accident data a public record under state law, meaning anyone can request this information through standard public records procedures. However, the bill explicitly states that this data cannot be used for purposes prohibited by federal law (23 U.S.C. § 407), such as in certain damage lawsuits. Public agencies providing this data must include written notice about these federal usage restrictions when releasing the records. This change directly affects residents seeking traffic accident information and public agencies managing such records.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7648: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL ASSAULT

Requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7639: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GENETIC INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT

Requires a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, as defined, to provide a consumer with certain information regarding the company’s policies and procedures regarding use of genetic data.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7634: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW

HB 7634 amends the state's Mental Health Law to grant advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) the same legal protection from lawsuits as physicians and surgeons when providing mental health services. Specifically, it ensures APRNs licensed in the state cannot be held liable in court for their professional actions under this law - except in cases of actual fraud or gross negligence - similar to existing protections for doctors. This directly affects APRNs working in mental healthcare settings, clarifying their legal standing during proceedings like patient discharges or treatment decisions. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7731: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Strengthens school security measures, including the establishment of a RI school emergency response committee to develop additional recommendations for school security measures and requiring an annual school safety assessment by all school districts.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7809: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- STATE TAX OFFICIALS

Extends the timeframe for the division of taxation to review nonresident contractor cases and provide a specific penalty for noncompliance with the statute's withholding requirements.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7734: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CONSUMER PFAS BAN ACT OF 2024

HB 7734 is an amendment to the existing Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024, clarifying how enforcement of the ban will be carried out. It does not expand the ban to new products or change the list of covered items (like carpets, cookware, cosmetics, or menstrual products). The bill specifically refines definitions related to "intentionally added PFAS" and enforcement procedures to ensure consistent application by the Department of Environmental Management. This amendment directly affects manufacturers and importers of the covered products listed in the original law.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7774: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Amends the state building code and would require that the state adopt the 2024 International Residential Code and prohibit the state building committee from adopting amendments for one to four residential dwelling units until 2030.

Topics ✗ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2519: AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- THE RHODE ISLAND SPECIAL DEPOSITS ACT

SB 2519 establishes the Rhode Island Special Deposits Act, creating standardized rules for certain types of bank deposits governed by written agreements between banks, depositors, and beneficiaries. It defines a "special deposit" as funds held under an account agreement for specific purposes like escrow, security deposits, or payment system settlements, with clear terms for when beneficiaries can receive funds. The act outlines requirements for account agreements, beneficiary rights, and bank obligations - such as paying only after a stated contingency occurs and the bank knows about it - while protecting these deposits from creditor claims. It directly affects banks, depositors (e.g., businesses or individuals setting up these deposits), and beneficiaries (e.g., tenants or settlement recipients), but does not change general banking rules or create new financial products.