Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jul 2, 2025

SB 671: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Provides that any disaster response worker shall, in the course of their duties, be considered a state employee and be entitled to all rights in like manner as state employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jul 2, 2025

HB 5872: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- DECEPTIVE AND FRAUDULENT SYNTHETIC MEDIA IN ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS

HB 5872 prohibits candidates, campaigns, political committees, and independent spenders from distributing deceptive or fraudulent synthetic media (AI-manipulated images, audio, or video falsely depicting a candidate) within 90 days of an election. It requires clear, prominent disclosures (visible text for visuals, spoken for audio) if such media is used, unless it qualifies as satire, parody, or is distributed by exempt media outlets like news organizations. The law allows affected candidates to seek court injunctions or damages for violations and exempts media companies acting as traditional news sources, satire, and platforms protected under federal law. It applies to election communications only and takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Rhode Island · House Jul 2, 2025

HB 5157: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Provides that any disaster response worker shall, in the course of their duties, be considered a state employee and be entitled to all rights in like manner as state employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jul 2, 2025

SB 606: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VITAL RECORDS

SB 606 prevents amendments to birth, marriage, and death records that have been transferred to the state archives. Records over 100 years old (births/marriages) or 50 years old (deaths) must be moved to the archives, where they cannot be changed. The state must maintain electronic copies so local offices can still issue certified copies to the public for historical records. This policy preserves the integrity of historical documents without affecting current record-keeping.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jul 2, 2025

HB 5120: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

HB 5120, the "Rhode Island Prior Authorization Reform Act of 2025," prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for services ordered by in-network primary care providers. This directly affects patients receiving care from in-network primary care physicians and the providers themselves, as insurers can no longer block these services through extra approval steps. The key provision mandates that insurers must approve such services without imposing prior authorization requirements, streamlining access to care. The bill aims to reduce administrative delays for routine treatments recommended by primary care providers within an insurer's network.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jul 2, 2025

HB 6385: AN ACT RELATING TO STATUTES AND STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION

HB 6385 is a technical reenactment bill that formally rewrites existing sections of Rhode Island's General Laws. It specifically reenacts all of Title 25, parts of Title 27 (chapters 1-18.9), and parts of Title 42 (chapters 1-46) as recommended by the Law Revision Office. The bill does not create new policies but ensures current statutes are accurately presented in the legal code. This procedural update affects no specific entities or individuals, as it solely updates the written law for clarity and consistency.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jul 2, 2025

SB 179: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RIGHTS AND DUTIES TEACHERS GENERALLY -- SEPTEMBER 11 CLASSROOM MOMENT OF SILENCE

SB 179 allows public school teachers and administrators in all grades to offer students a brief moment of silence each September 11 to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks. It directly affects public school students and staff by providing an optional, non-religious observance opportunity. The bill requires no new funding or major policy shifts - it simply permits schools to facilitate this moment when they choose. This is a procedural measure focused on remembrance, not a substantive change to education policy.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jul 2, 2025

HB 6054: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MOTOR VEHICLE APPRAISAL

Changes the process by which a dispute between the insured and their insurance company, concerning property damages and requires that the umpire appraisers shall be disinterested and the cost shared equally.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jul 2, 2025

SB 168: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

SB 168, the Rhode Island Prior Authorization Reform Act of 2025, prevents insurance companies from requiring prior approval (where patients or doctors must get insurance permission before a service) for any medical service ordered by an in-network primary care provider. This means patients can receive care recommended by their primary care doctor without waiting for insurance review, directly affecting patients, primary care providers, and insurers. The key provision prohibits insurers from imposing prior authorization for these services, streamlining access to care. The bill applies to all health insurance plans operating in Rhode Island, removing a common administrative barrier for routine primary care referrals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jul 2, 2025

SB 940: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- HISTORIC PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS 2013

Amends sections of law relative to historic tax credits including increasing the maximum project credit and implementing requirements relative to following prevailing wage requirements..

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · House Jul 2, 2025

HB 5967: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Establishes that a renewable energy resource shall pay $5.00 per kilowatt of alternating current nameplate capacity for tangible property and $3.50 per kilowatt of alternating nameplate capacity for real property.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jul 2, 2025

SB 610: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICIES

SB 610 strengthens consumer protections for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance policies in the state. It prohibits insurers from excluding benefits for preexisting conditions after a 6-month waiting period and bans policies that duplicate Medicare coverage. The bill guarantees beneficiaries (including those under 65 with disabilities) access to Plan A policies without medical underwriting or health-based eligibility checks during specific enrollment periods. It also requires the insurance commissioner to establish standards for policy terms, premium rates, and claims practices to ensure fairness and transparency.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results