Rhode Island Bills

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.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 3182: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- FORESTRY AND FOREST PARITY ACT

Establishes sales and use tax exemptions for commercial forest product operations and creates a new motor vehicle registration for "forestry vehicles".

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 8403: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF JAMESTOWN TO FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS AND TO ISSUE NOT MORE THAN $3,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR

Proposes a bond measure to authorize the Town of Jamestown to issue up to three million dollars ($3,000,000) in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to support affordable housing projects in Jamestown.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2891: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- OFFICE OF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Clarifies and updates language in the office of state medical examiners statute to address outdated or ambiguous language, outdated practices, outdated position titles/qualifications, and ensure compliance with federal HIPAA requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2921: 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, such as nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers employed by private households. By making this change, the bill ensures that domestic workers are protected against discrimination based on age, sex, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in the same way as other employees. The legislation applies to employers who hire four or more individuals, though it maintains existing exemptions for religious organizations and their employees. This update removes the previous exclusion of domestic workers from state anti-discrimination protections, bringing them under the same legal framework as other workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2857: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY

Repeals the older of the two existing chapters related to speech-language pathologists and audiologists and makes several amendments to reconcile the two statutes into one.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 3113: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

Increases from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates of election may be issued, until the recount if any is completed.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2861: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS, COSMETICIANS, MANICURISTS, AND ESTHETICIANS

Allows electronic notifications modernize language for notifications, synchronize renewal dates for certain license-types, streamline licensing requirements across several license-types, and update the unlicensed health care practices statute.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2867: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- CONFIDENTIALITY OF HEALTH CARE COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ACT

Provides conditions under which BHDDH has the authority to compel certain healthcare providers to finish requested healthcare records without violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2885: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASBESTOS ABATEMENT

This bill updates health and safety laws to remove outdated language and clarify requirements for asbestos removal and radon control. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and health officials who manage buildings with potential asbestos or radon hazards. The legislation aims to modernize existing regulations by ensuring current standards are clearly defined and consistently applied. By refining these rules, the bill seeks to improve safety protocols without changing the fundamental approach to managing these environmental risks.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results