Rhode Island Bills

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2431: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- CASUALTY INSURANCE RATING

Permits on and after July 1, 2027, for an insurer to consider the zip code in which the vehicle is garaged; provided that, the calculation of the zip code is segmented by the municipality where the vehicle is garaged.

Brian Thompson (D) Matt LaMountain (D) David Tikoian (D) Pete Appollonio (D) Andrew Dimitri (D)

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2455: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 5, 2026

HB 7676: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

HB 7676 allows advisory bodies (like commissions or committees without decision-making power) to participate in public meetings via videoconferencing under specific conditions. It permits remote participation for members on active military duty, those with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation (after a public waiver process), and University of Rhode Island board members, provided audio/video clarity is maintained. The bill requires that remote attendees be clearly audible/visible to in-person members and that all participation decisions be documented publicly. This update modernizes open meeting rules while maintaining transparency requirements for advisory group meetings.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2562: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUNDING PLAN ACT

SB 2562 requires health insurers to pay an additional $30 million annually starting in 2026 to fund telehealth services, specifically including the PediPRN (pediatric) and MomsPRN (maternal) teleconsultation lines. This funding is added to existing healthcare contributions and deposited into a dedicated "PRN account" managed by the Department of Health. The bill directly affects health insurers (through new fees) and benefits Rhode Island residents seeking timely mental health support for children, mothers, and perinatal patients. The funds will support statewide psychiatric consultation services for primary care providers, expanding behavioral health capacity without altering current insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SR 2657: JOINT RESOLUTION URGING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO STUDY AND REGULATE THE IMPACT OF WAKE BOATS ON RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC WATERWAYS

SR 2657 is a non-binding joint resolution urging the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to study and potentially regulate the impact of wake boats on public waterways. It directly affects DEM, which would be required to conduct this study, and indirectly affects wake boat operators and public waterway users by potentially leading to future regulations. The resolution does not create new law but requests DEM investigate how wake boats affect water quality, safety, and ecosystems before considering regulatory action. This is a procedural step focused on gathering data, not implementing immediate changes.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2708: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES

Clarifies that a magistrate or sentencing judge sitting in a court with jurisdiction over motor vehicle offenses has the discretion to grant a conditional hardship license for a first-time offender upon request.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2718: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ADJUDICATION OF TRAFFIC OFFENSES

SB 2718 increases fines for speeding violations in residential neighborhoods and school zones. It directly affects drivers who exceed speed limits in these specific areas. The bill establishes higher penalty amounts for speeding offenses occurring near homes or schools, aiming to enhance safety in vulnerable locations. This change modifies existing traffic penalty structures without altering speed limit laws themselves. The bill was introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2033: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PROTECTIONS OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ACT

Provides that the prescription label for medication abortion prescription drugs may include the name of the dispensing healthcare practice instead of the name of the dispenser.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2118: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PRIMARY CARE TRAINING SITES PROGRAM

Allows the office of health insurance commissioner (OHIC) as the state agency that has the authority to designate patient-centered medical home (PCMH) care to obtain maximal health outcomes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2074: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION

Requires that a conspicuous display be a visual illustration showing each component of the utility bill and the cost associated with each component of said bill, subject to the approval of the division of public utilities (DPUC).

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2093: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2101: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MEDICAL PRIMARY CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SB 2101 establishes Rhode Island's Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program to address provider shortages. It provides up to five $70,000 annual scholarships per year for medical students and five $47,000 annual scholarships for nurse practitioner or physician assistant students. Recipients must agree to work in Rhode Island primary care for a period matching their scholarship duration (4 years for med students, 2 years for NPs/PAs) and sign a promissory note for funds received. The program, administered by the Department of Health and Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, aims to recruit and retain primary care providers to meet the state's growing healthcare needs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill results