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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 · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 8603: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

HB 8603 amends Rhode Island driver education laws to exempt individuals in foster or adoptive homes from paying tuition fees for driver's education classes at the Community College of Rhode Island. This financial relief is funded by the Department of Children, Youth and Families and applies specifically to eligible youth receiving foster caregiving as defined by state regulations. The bill does not alter the existing curriculum, which includes instruction on alcohol and drug effects, distracted driving, and marijuana impairment, but rather removes the cost barrier for this specific group of students. By waiving enrollment fees, the legislation aims to ensure that foster and adoptive youth have equal access to the required thirty-three hours of classroom instruction needed to obtain a driver's license.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 3184: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

This bill clarifies the rules for when registered nurses and nurse practitioners can administer deep sedation and general anesthesia during elective, non-emergency procedures. It explicitly prohibits these providers from giving certain strong anesthesia medications for scheduled procedures unless there is an immediate emergency where delaying care would endanger a patient's life or safety. The law maintains that nurses can still provide lighter levels of sedation and ensures that students in anesthesia training programs can participate under supervision. Additionally, the bill requires the state Department of Health to create specific regulations by 2027 and report on how the new rules impact patient access, hospital operations, and safety incidents by 2028.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 3000: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

This bill requires licensed alcohol retailers to provide drink lids to customers upon request to help prevent drink spiking. The law mandates that businesses post a specific notice informing patrons about the availability of lids and instructs them to ask staff for details. Retailers may charge a reasonable fee for the lids based on wholesale costs, though they are also allowed to offer them for free. For the first violation of this requirement, including failure to post the notice, the penalty is limited to a warning from the regulatory department.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2832: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

Under the emergency fund for victims, increases the share of a victim’s total award that may be used for relocation related expenses but not increase total compensation available to a victim.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2795: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PESTICIDE CONTROL

Creates rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities that choose to participate. Reports to be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and submitted to the department of environmental management.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2822: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

This bill establishes definitions and a regulatory framework for public-private partnerships in state procurement, allowing state agencies to enter into long-term contracts with private entities for developing, financing, constructing, or maintaining public assets. The legislation requires agencies to conduct value-for-money analyses comparing partnership options against traditional methods and mandates competitive procurement processes with detailed evaluation criteria. Key provisions include requirements for prevailing wages, labor harmony plans, oversight responsibilities, and a study on project labor agreements for contracts exceeding $25 million, while maintaining state accountability for delegated functions.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2935: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS

Allows a police officer to be reemployed by a state agency or department for purposes of working a state-funded detail subject to certain restrictions.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2925: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FIREFIGHTERS' ARBITRATION

Provides that all contractual provisions in a firefighters collective bargaining agreement continue until a successor agreement has been reached or an interest arbitration award has been rendered.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2912: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ABANDONED PROPERTY

Amends several definitions to the general law chapter relating to abandoned property, adds a definition for "eligible nonprofit corporation", provides criteria for when properties are considered abandoned or a public nuisance.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2913: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OPERATION OF RAILROADS GENERALLY

Provides that no train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight be operated unless it had a crew consisting of at least 2 persons and includes the imposition of fines upon a company, individual or business for violations.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2824: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

This bill expands eligibility for crime victim compensation by allowing individuals who suffer serious bodily injury from hit-and-run incidents to apply for financial assistance through the state's compensation program. The amendment adds a specific provision to the existing list of qualifying offenses, ensuring that drivers who fail to stop after a collision resulting in serious injury or death are included in the categories eligible for compensation. The change directly affects victims of hit-and-run accidents who previously might not have qualified for aid under the current law, providing them with a potential source of financial support for medical and related expenses. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage without requiring additional legislative steps.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2892: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- FOOD-AS-MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM

This bill creates a pilot program and task force focused on using food as medicine, managed by the executive office of health and human services. The program would explore how dietary interventions can support health outcomes, though specific details like funding levels and participant criteria are not yet defined in the abstract. The measure is currently in the early stages of review and has been held for further study by the Senate committee. It does not yet establish any permanent regulations or mandate specific actions for healthcare providers or the public.

Topics ✓ Healthcare