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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

Bill results

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2294: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS

SB 2294 would require landlords to have a valid "just cause" reason to evict most residential tenants in Rhode Island, rather than allowing evictions without justification at the end of a lease term. It prohibits evictions for reasons like arbitrary tenant preferences, and specifies acceptable grounds such as non-payment of rent (unless the increase was unreasonable), lease violations, or property damage. The law applies to most rental housing, excluding owner-occupied buildings with fewer than four units, sublet properties where the sublessor needs the space, and job-site housing. This bill directly affects renters and landlords under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, aiming to prevent arbitrary displacement.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates just cause for evictions, protecting tenants from arbitrary removal and strengthening tenant rights in housing policy.95% confidence
Meghan Kallman (D) Victoria Gu (D) Tiara Mack (D) Jake Bissaillon (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2289: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RHODE ISLAND FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES ACT

This bill amends Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act to explicitly allow tenants with disabilities to keep service animals (trained dogs) and emotional support animals (dogs or cats providing emotional support, without certification) in rental housing. It prohibits landlords from denying housing or imposing fees based on these animals. The law directly affects renters with disabilities who rely on such animals for daily living and ensures they cannot be discriminated against for this accommodation. Key provisions clarify definitions of "emotional support animal" and require landlords to make reasonable accommodations for these animals under fair housing law.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from denying housing or fees for service/emotional support animals, preventing discrimination against disabled tenants.95% confidence
David Tikoian (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Frank Ciccone (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2305: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves 5-year waiting period and numerical limits for sealing eviction records, directly strengthening tenant rights and reducing barriers to housing stability.95% confidence
Meghan Kallman (D) Victoria Gu (D) Tiara Mack (D) Dawn Euer (D) Jake Bissaillon (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7318: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Increases the state’s regionalization bonus to six percent (6.0%) of the state’s fiscal year share of foundation education aid. This bonus would be ongoing and continuing so long as the district remains a regional school district.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides property tax relief via increased state education funding (6% regionalization bonus), directly reducing local property tax burdens for regional school districts.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state funding for regional school districts via 6% regionalization bonus, directly advancing educational funding for K-12 districts.95% confidence
Mike Chippendale (R) Susan Donovan (D) Tina Spears (D) Megan Cotter (D) Brian Kennedy (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7317: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND EARLY EDUCATOR WORKFORCE ACT

HB 7317, the Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act, directs the Department of Human Services and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to collaborate on managing existing programs supporting early childhood educators. It specifically requires maintaining the Child Care WAGE$ program with at least $1 million annually to provide salary supplements for educators in licensed childcare centers and family childcare homes, while also overseeing workforce development scholarships (T.E.A.C.H.) and registered apprenticeships. The bill directly affects early educators in Rhode Island’s licensed childcare and early learning programs, who currently earn an average of $16.74 per hour - among the lowest wages in the state. These provisions aim to improve retention and compensation by aligning early educator wages with K-12 standards through existing, research-backed programs.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly funds early educator salaries via WAGE$ program with $1M+ annual mandate, supporting workforce development and educator compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $1M+ annual funding for salary supplements to early educators via Child Care WAGE$ program, directly supporting wage increases for childcare workforce.95% confidence
Susan Donovan (D) Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith (D) Jennifer Boylan (D) Grace Diaz (D) Megan Cotter (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2200: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.
Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes renewable energy standard requiring public disclosure of production changes, promoting transparency in renewable energy compliance.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes renewable energy standards requiring public disclosure of energy production, directly promoting clean energy adoption and environmental protection.95% confidence
Jessica de la Cruz (R) Thomas Paolino (R) Pete Appollonio (D) Elaine Morgan (R) Gordon Rogers (R)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7388: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE PAUL W. CROWLEY RHODE ISLAND STUDENT INVESTMENT INITIATIVE

Establishes a new high-cost special education fund to pool resources and generates income to support excess costs associated with providing services to special education students.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund to cover special education costs, increasing budget allocation for public education services without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes new special education fund to cover excess costs, directly increasing financial support for students with special needs within education system.95% confidence
Terri Cortvriend (D) Alex Finkelman (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7455: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Mandates additional state education funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to 2% of the district’s total expenditures, and require those funds be used to hire staff such as school social workers, and behavioral specialists.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 2% of district expenditures for mental health staffing, increasing state education funding and public service spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 2% state funding for mental health staff, directly increasing educational support for student well-being and school programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates 2% of district funds for student mental/behavioral health, requiring hiring of school social workers and behavioral specialists, directly supporting mental health services.90% confidence
Terri Cortvriend (D) Susan Donovan (D) Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith (D) Bill O'Brien (D) Julie Casimiro (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2378: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- LONG-TERM CARE SERVICE AND FINANCE REFORM

Authorizes an increase in resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term-care needs who reside at home and requires semi-annual reports from Medicaid certified assisted living facilities and adult day service providers to the EOHHS.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases resource eligibility limits for home-based long-term care under Medicaid, expanding access to services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence
Bob Britto (D) Brian Thompson (D) Lammis Vargas (D) Pete Appollonio (D) Lou DiPalma (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7456: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Mandates public schools (K-12) have one full-time certified social worker for every 250 students and allocates $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for school districts and municipalities to hire additional social workers.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M in FY2025 budget for school social workers, increasing public service funding per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M for social worker hiring with 1:250 student ratio mandate, directly enhancing K-12 student support services and funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds school social workers for mental health services, directly advancing student mental health care access per bill's allocation and mandate.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $2M to hire school social workers, directly funding employment positions in education sector per mandate.95% confidence
Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith (D) Deb Fellela (D) Grace Diaz (D) Pat Serpa (D) Teresa Tanzi (D)
died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7454: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill includes Medicaid enrollment in education-aid formula's student success factor, increasing funding for schools serving low-income students to advance educational equity.95% confidence
Karen Alzate (D) Cherie Cruz (D) Bill O'Brien (D) Joshua Giraldo (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2356: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SB 2356 transfers management of the Big River Reservoir from the Water Resources Board to Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Effective July 1, 2026, DEM will assume responsibility for all land use planning and rule-making related to the reservoir, while existing management rules remain in effect until DEM establishes new regulations. This bill directly affects DEM (which gains new administrative authority) and the Water Resources Board (which loses this specific responsibility). The key mechanism is the formal transfer of management duties, streamlining oversight under DEM’s existing environmental authority without altering the reservoir’s legal status or public access.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransferring reservoir management to DEM (environmental agency) consolidates oversight under dedicated environmental authority, strengthening regulatory control without weakening protections.95% confidence
Elaine Morgan (R) Bridget Valverde (D) Gordon Rogers (R) John Burke (D) Lou Raptakis (D)
Showing 565 to 576 of 6,972 bills
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