Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7958: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

HB 7958 requires that all contracts for capital improvements (such as new construction or major renovations) at healthcare facilities must comply with the fair employment practices standards outlined in chapter 13 of title 37. This directly affects healthcare facilities and their construction contractors by mandating adherence to existing non-discrimination and equal opportunity rules in hiring and employment. The key mechanism is applying these established labor standards to capital improvement contracts, ensuring they include protections against employment discrimination. The bill does not create new requirements but extends current fair employment practices to this specific contracting context. It was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Labor committee.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8041: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 8041 allows the town of Johnston to set density bonuses - incentives for higher-density development - based on its existing zoning ordinances. This bill directly affects Johnston's local planning decisions by giving the town authority to determine these bonuses according to its current zoning framework. The key provision removes a previous restriction, enabling Johnston to align density incentives with its specific zoning classifications. This change streamlines the town's ability to manage development patterns within its designated zones. The bill is currently under review by the House Municipal Government & Housing committee.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8016: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

Allows the town of Johnston to receive a one-half (1/2) credit for affordable housing units for manufactured homes in age restricted communities in conformance with all zoning laws and/or ordinances of the town.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8033: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING--PARKING SPACES

Permits Johnston to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking is available near these units.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2751: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- RHODE ISLAND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACT

SB 2751, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, grants cities and towns authority to implement automated traffic monitoring systems (like cameras) to detect pedestrian safety violations, such as vehicles failing to yield at crosswalks. Local governments would use these systems to identify violations, with drivers facing a $50 civil fine for each offense. The bill directly affects drivers who violate pedestrian safety rules and empowers local authorities to enforce these rules without requiring state-level mandates.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2747: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING--PARKING SPACES

Permits Johnston to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking is available near these units.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7967: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT--NO LIMITATION ON HEALTHCARE BENEFIT PROVIDERS

Repeals the law that prevents a collective bargaining agreement covering state employees, public school teachers and municipal employees from specifying a particular healthcare provider in it.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7042: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT

Provides for the right to strike for public sector workers in Rhode Island, including teachers, with exceptions for police officers, firefighters, 911 employees, and correctional officers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7082: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES' ARBITRATION

Recognizes that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and establishes new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors include comparisons of wages/hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7125: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Authorized the town of Tiverton to require that fifty percent (50%) of new construction be affordable housing units if there is less than ten percent (10%) of affordable housing in the town.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7124: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Allows the town of Tiverton, with an aggregate of 500 or more units proposed in a comprehensive permit project, to enact a short-term emergency moratorium until the permit laws are amended.

Topics ✗ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7123: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Requires the Rhode Island housing authority to verify and document the count of affordable housing stock in the town of Tiverton two (2) times per year.

Bill results