Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 5264: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted an exemption by the secretary of housing and provides tenants with a civil action to recover damages, including an award of attorneys' fees/punitive damages, for violations.

Topics ✓ Housing

Cherie Cruz (D) Grace Diaz (D) Arthur Handy (D) Brandon Potter (D) David Morales (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 5423: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Repeals the legislative findings in this section and requires elementary, middle and high schools to provide and maintain on-site functional automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5880: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- AUDITOR GENERAL

HB 5880 requires the state auditor general to conduct annual performance audits of all state agencies, examining their effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance with laws (including equal employment and minority business rules). This directly affects all state agencies, such as departments and boards, but excludes legislative branch entities and public utilities. Key mechanisms include mandatory exit conferences with agency officials, written responses to audit findings within 60 days, and annual reports to the legislature detailing audit results and agency responses. The bill mandates these audits begin January 1, 2026, with the auditor general reporting non-compliant agencies to the governor and legislative leaders each year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5881: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- UNIFORM ACT ON PREVENTION OF AND REMEDIES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING -- TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS AND INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE

Provides specific language for signs to be posted at certain establishments notifying people of contact information to the national human trafficking resource center.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5865: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

HB 5865 bans the sale of cosmetics in Rhode Island that were developed or manufactured using animal testing conducted on or after January 1, 2026. It directly affects cosmetic manufacturers and sellers within the state, imposing a $1,000 fine per violation for noncompliance. The law includes limited exemptions, such as when animal testing is required by federal or state regulators with no non-animal alternatives, or for ingredients in widespread use with no suitable substitutes. The bill amends existing cruelty-to-animals statutes to add this specific prohibition, focusing on the sale of cosmetics rather than testing itself.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5629: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND INSURANCE POLICIES

Amends the current law on health insurance coverage for fertility diagnostic care, standard fertility preservation services, and fertility treatment and requires coverage for any medically necessary ovulation-enhancing drugs and medical services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 53: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

SB 53, the "Rhode Island Prior Authorization Reform Act of 2025," would prohibit insurers from requiring prior authorization for healthcare services ordered by in-network primary care providers. This directly affects patients receiving routine care from their primary doctors and the providers themselves, as it removes an administrative barrier for common treatments. The key mechanism eliminates a requirement where insurers typically must approve services before they are provided, streamlining access to care. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after being referred in January 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5616: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

HB 5616 prohibits public health advertisements and regulations from stating or implying that there is a safe way to use illegal drugs. The bill directly affects state health departments and public health campaigns by requiring all official health communications to avoid this specific claim. It adds a new policy section to the Department of Health chapter, making it state policy that such statements cannot appear in any public health materials. The bill was introduced in February 2025 and is currently pending further study after committee review.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 6037: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

Amends the definition of the ”practice of pharmacy” to include the administration of immunizations vaccines for persons three years of age and older.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5584: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

Requires that one of the seven (7) directors of the Rhode Island airport corporation be appointed by the governor from a list of individuals submitted by the mayor of the city of Warwick.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 5552: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- PROTECTING RHODE ISLANDERS FROM COERCIVE ECONOMIC TACTICS AT GROCERY STORES

HB 5552, the "Price Tags Act," requires grocery suppliers to offer identical pricing and terms to all retailers purchasing the same products in similar quantities. It directly affects large food suppliers (with over $6 billion in annual sales to RI retailers) and dominant grocery chains (with over $18 billion in annual sales across 20+ states). Key provisions mandate suppliers to share anonymized pricing data with smaller retailers upon request and prohibit refusing sales to non-dominant retailers without valid reasons. The law aims to prevent large chains from leveraging their size to secure better deals, ensuring smaller grocery stores in Rhode Island receive fair treatment in pricing negotiations.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 534: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- THIRD-PARTY LITIGATION FINANCING CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

SB 534 establishes the "Third-Party Litigation Financing Consumer Protection Act" to regulate companies that fund lawsuits for individuals in Rhode Island. It requires these financiers to register with the state, post a $50,000 bond, and provide full written contracts with clear disclosures to consumers. The law bans practices like paying referral fees to lawyers or medical providers, prevents financiers from directing legal strategy or waiving jury trials, and prohibits reporting consumers to credit agencies for unpaid fees. This directly affects individuals filing lawsuits (consumers), their attorneys (legal representatives), and medical providers involved in cases. The bill aims to protect consumers from exploitative financing terms while ensuring transparency in litigation funding arrangements.

Bill results