Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 473: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Extends coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome by removing the sunset date of December 31, 2025, and mandating such coverage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bob Britto (D) Bridget Valverde (D) Alana DiMario (D) Val Lawson (D) Sue Sosnowski (D)

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 6093: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

HB 6093 establishes a review process for any changes to parking near coastal shoreline rights-of-way in Rhode Island. It requires cities, towns, private entities, or organizations to submit detailed plans demonstrating ADA compliance, public access preservation, and a 30-day public comment period before restricting parking. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) must jointly review proposals to ensure they align with public access goals and accessibility standards. Violations - such as modifying parking without following these steps - may result in cease-and-desist orders or daily fines up to $500. The bill does not apply to temporary, safety-related parking restrictions by state/municipal agencies lasting under 20 days.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 1090: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Adds "providing for residential development in all or some of the areas encompassing commercial districts" as a purpose a zoning ordinance must address.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 843: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET-METERING

SB 843 allows property owners with eligible net-metering systems connected to a master meter to allocate excess electricity credits to any individual meter on the same property. This directly affects property owners with solar or renewable energy systems who generate more electricity than they use. The bill specifies that credits can be distributed to any metered account (like residential, commercial, or low-income housing units) without restrictions on the number of meters, as long as the system meets eligibility requirements. It also clarifies that community remote net-metering systems must allocate at least 50% of credits to eligible low-income housing or other designated accounts. The policy change simplifies how excess energy credits are shared across multiple accounts on a single property.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 6118: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

HB 6118 requires most health insurance plans in the state to cover mobile response and stabilization services for children and youth under 18 experiencing acute mental health crises, such as aggression, self-injury, or suicidal thoughts. The bill mandates coverage for certified providers delivering immediate crisis intervention, assessment, and follow-up care, effective for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. It excludes certain policies like accident-only, Medicare supplements, and limited-benefit plans. This policy change directly affects insurers, certified behavioral health providers, and young people enrolled in covered health plans.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 716: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

SB 716 establishes a formal process for local governments and private entities to modify parking near public shoreline access areas in Rhode Island. It requires detailed plans showing how changes won’t reduce access, especially for people with disabilities (meeting ADA standards), and mandates a 30-day public comment period before approval. Entities that skip these steps face fines up to $5,000 per day, with penalty funds going to a new "shoreline access improvement fund" for public access projects. The bill directly affects towns, businesses, and organizations managing coastal parking while ensuring compliance with state laws and accessibility requirements.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 474: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RARE DISEASE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Establishes a rare disease advisory council within the department of health to provide guidance and recommendations to educate healthcare providers and the citizens of the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 5800: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Adds "providing for residential development in all or some of the areas encompassing commercial districts" as a purpose a zoning ordinance must address.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 483: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

SB 483 (Pharmacy Refill Bill) allows pharmacists to dispense a one-time refill of essential medications for up to 100 days under specific conditions. It directly affects patients who cannot reach their prescriber for a refill and pharmacists managing medication continuity. The bill permits refills only for non-controlled substances (excluding Schedule II-V drugs) needed for life-sustaining or chronic conditions, where stopping treatment could cause health risks, and requires pharmacists to notify the prescriber within seven business days. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and aims to prevent treatment interruptions without prescriber authorization.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 5795: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Amends the administration requirements a zoning ordinance must provide and/or designate and would require that zoning certificates be issued within 20 days of the written request.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 1083: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Adds the process of permitting the construction of attached single-family dwellings in identified zoning districts as a factor that zoning ordinances must address.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SB 263: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

SB 263 requires most health insurance plans in the state to cover mobile mental health crisis response and stabilization services for children and teens under 18. These services, delivered by certified providers, address acute issues like self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or severe anxiety through immediate on-site support and follow-up care. The coverage mandate applies to individual/group health, hospital, and medical expense insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes policies like accident-only, Medicare supplements, or limited-benefit plans. Insurers must cover these services without delaying access through utilization review processes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results