Rhode Island Bills

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2638: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION ACT OF 2015

Amends the Identity Theft Protection Act by eliminating current definitions and establishing new definitions. This act also raises the penalty provisions for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2054: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE

Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's medical care and treatment shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2186: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES

SB 2186 allows individuals with disabilities to obtain up to two motor vehicle disability parking placards instead of the current limit of one. This directly affects people with disabilities who own multiple vehicles or require parking access for different vehicles. The bill amends existing law to increase the number of placards permitted per person, simplifying access to disability parking privileges. It does not change eligibility requirements or add new administrative processes. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 16, 2026, and referred to committee.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2128: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- JUDICIAL SELECTION

Requires individuals seeking a judicial nomination to reapply to JNC every 3 years and make those individuals selected as finalists, eligible only for the court in which they applied and were chosen during the five years following their selection.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2109: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

SB 2109 prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from requiring or conducting insurance reviews for prescriptions used to treat opioid or alcohol use disorder. Specifically, it blocks reviews for medications containing methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, or for any FDA-approved medication managing opioid withdrawal. The bill directly affects patients seeking addiction treatment and insurers/pharmacy managers handling these prescriptions. It also requires Medicaid managed care organizations to use state-set medical necessity criteria for reviews. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 7302: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

HB 7302 authorizes Rhode Island's Division of Motor Vehicles to issue special license plates for the Lime Rock Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit supporting the Ida Lewis Lighthouse. Vehicle owners who choose these plates pay a $40 one-time surcharge (split $20 to the general fund, $20 to the foundation) and a $10 annual renewal fee, all going to the foundation. The plates must display a lighthouse design approved by the state police and replace standard registration plates. The foundation must use all funds for Rhode Island charities and submit annual financial reports. This bill affects drivers who opt for the special plates, with no refunds for early cancellation.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2397: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS

Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than $250 or no more than $1,000 and up to 11 months imprisonment for violating the law on the care of dogs.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Rhode Island · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 8608: HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES EXERCISE DISCRETION IN ADJUDICATING STATUS APPLICATIONS CONSISTENT WITH HISTORICAL PRACTICE

This legislative resolution asks the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to continue processing marriage-based immigration applications in the United States rather than forcing couples to apply abroad. It specifically targets a recent unsigned memorandum that would require U.S. citizens to send their foreign spouses overseas for visa processing, a change the bill argues disrupts family unity. The document urges immigration officials to exercise discretion consistent with past practices and directs state officials to send copies of the resolution to federal leaders.

Topics ✓ Immigration

in committee · Rhode Island · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 8610: HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OFFICE OF THE ELDER ADVOCATE

This bill creates a special legislative commission to study the need for establishing an Office of the Elder Advocate in Rhode Island. The commission will consist of thirteen members, including representatives from the legislature, legal organizations, senior advocacy groups, and older adults, who will meet to examine unmet needs and existing systems for protecting older residents. The group will provide recommendations on the structure, powers, and funding for such an office and must submit its final report to the House of Representatives by March 15, 2027.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SR 3343: SENATE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POTENTIAL CHANGES IN LEGISLATION/OVERSIGHT OF THE ACT ON CLIMATE

Extends reporting and expiration dates of special legislative commission to study and provides recommendations for potential changes in legislation/oversight of Act on Climate from May 1, 2026, to May 1, 2027, and said commission expires on June 1, 2027.

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 8612: HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING REV. DR. BERNARD LAFAYETTE JR. FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill is a House Resolution that formally honors the life and work of Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr., a prominent civil rights leader and educator. It recognizes his significant contributions to Rhode Island, including his role in founding the University of Rhode Island's Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies and his service on the Governor's Select Commission on Race and Police-Community Relations. The resolution expresses gratitude for his impact on the state and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to his family.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 8521: AN ACT TO VACATE THE FORFEITURE OR REVOCATION OF THE CHARTER OF LOS TOROS RECORDS, INC.

This bill allows Los Toros Records, Inc. to regain its corporate charter after it was previously revoked. To qualify, the company must file all required tax returns, pay any outstanding taxes and fees, and submit a certificate from the tax administrator by December 31, 2026. Once these conditions are met and filed with the secretary of state, the revocation will be officially canceled, restoring the company's full legal rights and privileges. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Bill results