Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7100: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM--CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS

Increases the yearly amount of money that retired teachers, who had been certified driver education teachers, could earn from fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), without a reduction in their retirement benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Joseph Solomon (D) Tom Noret (D) Doc Corvese (D) Brandon Potter (D) Julie Casimiro (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7132: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- HOMICIDE

HB 7132 prohibits judges from imposing life without parole sentences on individuals convicted of homicide who were 21 years old or younger at the time of the offense. The bill directly affects juvenile defendants (ages 21 and under) in homicide cases by requiring alternative sentencing options, such as lengthy prison terms with parole eligibility. It changes sentencing guidelines to ensure youth offenders are not subject to irreversible life sentences. This policy shift applies specifically to homicide convictions under the state's criminal code.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7160: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Allows teachers, state and municipal employees to retire when they have at least twenty-eight (28) years of active service and their retirement age, when combined with the number of their years of service reaches, the number eighty-five (85).

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7162: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

HB 7162 would modify Rhode Island's personal income tax calculation by allowing the exclusion of public pension benefits administered by the Employees Retirement System from federal adjusted gross income. This change directly affects state and local government retirees who receive pensions through the Employees Retirement System. The key provision adjusts how these pension payments are treated for tax purposes, effectively reducing taxable income for eligible recipients. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after its January 16, 2026, introduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2106: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SB 2106 would expand medical assistance coverage to include community-based medical services for specific eligible residents. It targets individuals who have used emergency rooms three or more times in four consecutive months, or whose primary care provider identifies them as needing community care to prevent hospital/nursing facility admission. Covered services include chronic disease monitoring, medication management, post-hospital follow-up, and minor medical procedures. Providers must coordinate care with existing health teams to avoid duplication of services like home health care. The program requires federal approval before implementation and takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7253: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- ADMINISTRATION

Changes the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date.

Topics ✗ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7234: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARY ELECTION

Changes primary election to Wednesday if after Labor Day and does not mandate local boards of election to have voter registration drive at high school.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7195: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT

Prohibits any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or criminal behavior, unless the parent of guardian of the juvenile is present, or unless an attorney is present or the juvenile and their parents have waived their presence.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7395: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTION AND BENEFITS

HB 7395 allows retired members of the Rhode Island state labor relations board to continue receiving their retirement pension while working paid positions with the state. This amendment specifically permits them to maintain full pension benefits during such employment without suspension, though no additional retirement credits or contributions are granted. Monthly reporting to the retirement board is required for these positions. The bill targets a gap in existing rules, ensuring labor relations board members can serve in paid roles without losing pension eligibility.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7380: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

HB 7380 prohibits ranked choice voting in all local, state, and federal elections by banning voting systems that allow voters to rank candidates, cast multiple votes for one office, or transfer votes between candidates. It requires all elections to use single-choice voting systems, invalidating any election conducted under prohibited methods and voiding conflicting local ordinances. This bill directly affects all voters and election administrators in the state for every public office election. Exceptions apply only to standard multi-member district elections where voters have one vote per position without vote transfers.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7391: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Reinstates, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment for retirement plan year 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7390: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Allows teachers, state and municipal employees to retire upon the earlier of reaching age sixty (60) with thirty (30) years of service or the employee's retirement eligibility date under present state statutes.

Bill results