Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SB 310: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

SB 310 amends the state's minimum wage law to set annual increases for covered workers. It establishes a minimum wage of $16 per hour starting January 1, 2026, rising to $17 in 2027, $18 in 2028, $19 in 2029, and $20 in 2030. The bill directly affects all employers subject to the state's minimum wage requirements, including businesses in retail, hospitality, and other sectors employing hourly workers. This amendment updates the existing wage schedule without altering current enforcement mechanisms or exemptions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 5685: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- WORK ON HOLIDAYS AND SUNDAYS

HB 5685 requires casinos to pay overtime to workers who work on Sundays or designated holidays, such as New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Christmas. This bill directly affects casino employees in Rhode Island by removing their previous exemption from overtime pay requirements for holiday and Sunday work. The key change amends the definition of "employee" in labor law to exclude casino workers from the list of exempted occupations. The policy would take effect immediately upon passage, ensuring these workers receive overtime compensation for scheduled holiday and Sunday shifts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 5943: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOLIDAY BUSINESS

Provides all employees of retail establishments with 15 or more employees engaged in work during Sundays or holidays shall receive from their employer no less than time and a half and shall be guaranteed at least a minimum of four (4) hours employment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 5939: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES -- FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT

Eliminate all exceptions to the provision that all employees are to be paid weekly except for employees of the state and its political subdivisions, municipal governments, and non-profit organizations with less than twenty-five (25) employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SB 215: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

SB 215 increases the minimum cash wage for tipped workers (like restaurant servers) from $3.89 to $6.75 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects employees in restaurants, hotels, and similar service industries who rely on tips as part of their income, excluding taxicab drivers. The bill sets a new hourly cash wage floor that employers must pay, ensuring tipped workers earn at least $6.75/hour without relying on tip deductions. This change follows a phased increase schedule, raising the current $3.89 floor by $2.86 over time. The law applies to all qualifying employers in these industries and takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 5507: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

HB 5507 gradually increases the minimum cash wage for employees in tipped occupations (like restaurants and hotels) who rely on gratuities. Starting from $3.89 per hour in 2017, it raises this rate by $0.50 annually until 2026, then increases by $2.00 each year through 2030 to reach $14.95 per hour. By January 1, 2031, these workers will receive the same minimum wage as non-tipped employees, eliminating the tip credit. The bill directly affects tipped workers in qualifying industries and requires employers to pay at least the stated cash wage without deducting gratuities below the specified thresholds.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 5304: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- THE COMMUTER TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS ACT

Establishes the commuter transportation benefit chapter. Employers with five hundred (500) or more employees would be required to establish a pre-tax commuter transportation fringe benefit program.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 5508: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

HB 5508 would set a new minimum wage of $22.00 per hour for covered workers, effective January 1, 2026. This amendment updates the existing minimum wage schedule in the state's labor law, which has previously increased incrementally since 1999. The bill directly affects all employers subject to minimum wage requirements under state law, including most private-sector workers. The change represents a significant increase from the current $15.00 hourly rate set to take effect in 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SR 216: SENATE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND REVIEW RHODE ISLAND'S MINIMUM WAGE

This resolution would extend the reporting and expiration dates of the special legislative commission to study Rhode Island’s minimum wage from May 4, 2025, to May 4, 2026, and said commission would expire on January 4, 2027.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SB 247: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS-EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INFANTS

Provides that the early intervention program for developmentally disabled infants be under the jurisdiction of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS).

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SB 231: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Establishes a task force managed by the children’s cabinet to develop recommendations to improve access to early intervention and early childhood special education services.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 5826: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- CONDOMINIUM LAW

HB 5826 creates a new process allowing condominium associations to require written approval from unit mortgage holders (homeowners' lenders) for certain association actions, such as major repairs or budget changes. It specifies that associations must mail written requests to mortgage holders using recorded addresses, and if no written denial is received within 60 days, the approval is deemed granted. The bill explicitly states that mortgage holder approval cannot override basic association control over daily operations or affect litigation, insurance claims, or legal proceedings. This bill directly affects condo associations and their lenders, adding a formal step for certain decisions. The bill was introduced in February 2025 but withdrawn on March 4, 2025.

Bill results