Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5932: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE -- MANDATORY ARBITRATION PROVISION

HB 5932 raises the threshold for mandatory arbitration in motor vehicle liability claims from $50,000 to $100,000. This means drivers or passengers filing claims for $100,000 or less can now choose to go directly to court instead of being required to use arbitration. The bill maintains existing arbitration procedures for larger claims, including rules for selecting arbitrators, hearing processes, and the option to request a jury trial within 60 days. It directly affects individuals involved in minor auto accident claims under $100,000 who previously would have faced mandatory arbitration. The change aims to streamline the claims process for lower-value cases without altering other insurance requirements.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5905: AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE LANDS-LIABILITY LIMITATIONS

Changes the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5930: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- AUTOMATED SCHOOL-ZONE-SPEED-ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM ACT OF 2016

Extends the range of a school zone for purposes of school-zone-speed-enforcement systems from one-quarter (1/4) mile to three-quarters (3/4) of a mile.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5642: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE

HB 5642 amends filing fees for appeals from district court to superior court in civil cases and landlord-tenant matters. It requires appellants to pay a $50 attorney fee (divided among multiple adverse parties) plus a $75 total filing fee (including a civil case processing fee and technology surcharge) when appealing. The bill sets a 2-day deadline (excluding weekends/holidays) for general civil appeals and a 5-day deadline (including weekends/holidays) for landlord-tenant cases. These changes take effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting individuals or entities appealing district court decisions.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5641: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE-- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTION -- SMALL CLAIMS AND CONSUMER CLAIMS

HB 5641 simplifies appeal fees for small claims and consumer cases in district courts. It increases the appeal filing fee to $75 (including processing fees), with $20 of each fee directed to a new mediation fund for small claims disputes. The bill also raises the maximum counterclaim amount from $2,500 to $5,000 and specifies that defendants who default in consumer cases (e.g., product damage claims) forfeit their right to appeal. This affects individuals and businesses involved in small monetary disputes under $5,000, streamlining procedures while clarifying appeal rights.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 6040: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- JUDICIAL SELECTION

Requires individuals seeking a judicial nomination to reapply to JNC every 3 years and make those individuals selected as finalists, eligible only for the court in which they applied and were chosen during the five years following their selection.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5896: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

Provides that a hearing required before a judge or magistrate may adjudge a motorist in contempt for failure to comply with the court's orders regarding a conditional hardship license, and defines penalties for violation of a hardship/interlock order.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5911: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY

Caps damages at $100,000 in tort actions against Rhode Island, cities, towns, or fire districts, except for willful misconduct or extreme recklessness. It also exempts them from § 9-21-10.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5912: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE

HB 5912 modifies evidence rules in civil injury and wrongful death cases involving medical care. It states that the amount billed by a licensed health care provider is presumed to be the fair and reasonable charge, and payments received by that provider from insurers, government programs, or workers' compensation cannot be used as evidence to challenge that billed amount. This directly affects medical providers, insurers, and parties in malpractice or injury lawsuits by preventing defendants from using lower insurance payments to dispute the full billed cost. The bill takes effect upon passage and aims to simplify evidence standards for medical billing in court.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5937: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- UNIFORM PARTITION OF HEIRS' PROPERTY ACT

HB 5937 adopts the Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Act to establish clear court procedures for dividing property owned by multiple family members (called "heirs' property"). It directly affects individuals holding real estate in tenancy in common where at least 20% of interests are held by relatives or acquired through family lines. Key provisions require courts to determine property value through appraisal (or agreed valuation), offer cotenants the chance to buy out others who want to sell, and allow partition by sale or in kind. The law applies to partition cases filed after January 1, 2026, and supplements existing property law for these specific cases.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5907: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- LITIGATION LENDING AGREEMENTS

HB 5907 would require litigation lending agreements (LLAs) to comply with Rhode Island's usury laws, making high-interest loans to litigants subject to state interest rate limits. It directly affects individuals involved in civil lawsuits who take such loans and the companies providing them, as repayment terms exceeding the loan amount would be treated as interest under existing usury rules. The bill explicitly states that no matter how lenders label these agreements (e.g., "investment" or "advance"), any repayment above the initial amount counts as interest and must adhere to state limits. This policy change would prevent lenders from circumventing usury laws through creative contract terms, ensuring all litigation financing aligns with standard loan regulations.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 5646: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- JURY LISTS

HB 5646 adds individuals aged 70 or older to the list of people eligible to request exemption from jury service in Rhode Island. It directly affects residents of Rhode Island who are 70 years or older and receive a jury summons. The bill amends existing law to allow these individuals to formally decline jury duty by claiming the exemption, rather than being automatically exempt. This change applies to all Rhode Island courts and civil procedures involving jury selection.

Bill results