Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7083: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS

HB 7083 would allow the city of Cranston to create a dedicated housing division within its municipal court. This division would handle cases involving violations of local housing rules, including zoning, minimum housing standards, building codes, and property maintenance regulations. The housing division could impose fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail for these violations and would hear cases separately from other municipal court matters. Appeals from housing division decisions would go to the district court, not the superior court. This change directly affects Cranston residents and property owners who face housing code enforcement actions.

Scott Slater (D) Cherie Cruz (D) Grace Diaz (D) Arthur Handy (D) Brandon Potter (D)

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 2149: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS--WARWICK MUNICIPAL COURT

SB 2149 expands the jurisdiction of the Warwick municipal court, allowing it to handle a broader range of cases within the city. This change directly affects the court's authority to adjudicate local legal matters without specifying new case types. The bill’s key mechanism is a formal expansion of the court’s existing jurisdictional scope as defined by state law. As a procedural bill, it focuses on court administrative authority rather than creating new substantive laws.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7200: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION

Amends what is considered sexual abuse for purposes of limitations on actions based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child and would amend the provisions for when a cause of action may be brought.

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7357: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- SENSITIVE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT

HB 7357 creates the "Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act" to protect sensitive health information in Rhode Island. It directly affects residents whose data relates to gender-affirming care or reproductive health, and the healthcare providers or businesses handling that data. The law requires explicit, opt-in consent for collecting such data, prohibits deceptive practices for obtaining consent, and defines protected data to include not only direct health information but also derived data (like location patterns or algorithmic inferences) tied to these services. It explicitly excludes publicly available or de-identified research data from coverage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 2365: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

This bill amends Rhode Island's personal income tax code to remove the age limit for modifying Social Security income, allowing residents of all ages to exclude these funds from their taxable income. The legislation also updates tax calculations to include new federal provisions, such as taxing forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans over $250,000 and adjusting how tuition savings program withdrawals are handled. By aligning state tax rules with recent federal changes, the bill ensures that residents pay state taxes on income that is no longer exempt under federal law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 2401: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS

SB 2401 authorizes the city of Cranston to create a housing division within its municipal court to handle specific housing-related violations. This division would directly affect Cranston residents and property owners facing violations of local housing codes, zoning ordinances, building regulations, or minimum housing standards. The housing division can impose fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail for these violations, and appeals from its decisions would go to the superior court within 20 days. The bill specifies the exact types of housing-related violations the division can address, including zoning, housing maintenance, and state building code violations.

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7427: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- THE PRIMARY CARE PRESERVATION ACT

Prohibits health insurance companies or other payors from including in physician participation agreements any provisions that restrict or prevent a physician from charging patients reasonable administrative or operational fees to support overhead.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 3360: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT OF THE WARWICK CITY CHARTER TO ALLOW FOR ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES THAT SUBJECT MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS TO CERTAIN CODIFIED CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL

This bill proposes changing the Warwick City Charter to give the city council a greater role in approving mayoral appointments to specific city boards and commissions. If voters approve the amendment in the 2026 election, the council would be able to pass rules requiring its consent for these appointments, with the exception of the Board of Public Safety. The bill does not change who currently holds these positions but alters the process by which future appointees are selected. Ultimately, the change requires a direct vote by Warwick residents to take effect.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 3261: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION -- VETERANS' EXEMPTIONS -- TOWN OF EXETER

Creates an exemption from property taxes in the amount of $5,000 for any veteran of the military or naval service of the United States who is to be totally disabled through a service-connected disability in the town of Exeter.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 8504: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

This bill expands the definition of "employee" under Rhode Island's Fair Employment Practices law to include individuals working in domestic service, thereby extending anti-discrimination protections to domestic workers. The legislation updates various legal definitions within the state's employment chapter to clarify terms related to gender identity, race, disability, and religious accommodation. By making these changes, the bill ensures that domestic workers are covered by the same safeguards against discrimination as other employees in the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 8544: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT

Amends sections of the Rhode Island Cannabis Act relative to proof of residency terminology, and amends the definition of applicant and provides a new process for the approval and certification for social equity and cannabis retail sales licenses.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 3313: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT

Amends sections of the Rhode Island Cannabis Act relative to proof of residency terminology, and amends the definition of applicant and provides a new process for the approval and certification for social equity and cannabis retail sales licenses.

Bill results