Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 280: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

SB 280 updates Rhode Island law to replace "state marshals" with "capitol police" in lists of law enforcement officers exempt from firearm restrictions. The bill specifically amends two statutes (11-47-9 and 11-47-35.1) to ensure capitol police officers qualify for the same exemptions as other sworn law enforcement personnel. This means capitol police officers, like state marshals previously, can carry concealed firearms while on duty without violating state firearm laws. The change directly affects capitol police officers by formally including them in the exemption list. The bill became effective without the governor's signature on June 26, 2025.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 359: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- UNLAWFUL SALE OF PROHIBITED FIREARMS

SB 359, the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025, prohibits the sale, manufacture, and purchase of specific firearms defined as "prohibited" under the bill. It directly affects residents and businesses in Rhode Island who handle or own firearms meeting the defined criteria, such as semi-automatic rifles with folding stocks, pistol grips, or magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Key provisions ban weapons with features like detachable magazines, grenade launchers, or threaded barrels, while allowing limited exceptions for current owners selling to dealers or law enforcement. The ban takes effect July 1, 2026, with violations punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SR 1156: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RETURN OF CENTRAL FALLS SCHOOLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE

SR 1156 creates a seven-member commission to study returning Central Falls public schools to local control. The commission, including the Mayor of Central Falls, education officials, a teachers' union representative, and a financial expert, must develop a financial plan for the city's local funding share and a detailed transition plan for operational and fiscal responsibility. It requires a final report by March 3, 2026, with implementation scheduled for July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects Central Falls residents and its public school system by establishing a structured process to evaluate local governance of schools. This procedural resolution does not change current governance but sets a timeline for a study on potential return.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 5448: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY --GENERAL PROVISIONS

Eliminates the "until June 30, 2025" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 5235: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTEREST AND USURY

HB 5235 caps interest rates on medical debt owed to healthcare providers. It limits interest to the weekly average one-year Treasury yield (with a minimum of 1.5% and maximum of 4% annually), as reported by the Federal Reserve. This applies only to new medical debt incurred after the bill takes effect, directly affecting consumers with unpaid medical bills. The law aims to prevent excessive interest charges on healthcare costs without altering existing debt.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 5640: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PASSING, USE OF LANES, AND RULES OF THE ROAD

Adds a provision in the statute relating to one way highways, providing an increased penalty when a motorist travels the wrong way on an interstate highway or an entrance or exit ramp connected to an interstate highway.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 172: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTEREST AND USURY

SB 172 caps interest rates on medical debt at a maximum of 4% annually (and minimum of 1.5%), based on the weekly average Treasury yield published by the Federal Reserve. It directly affects consumers who owe healthcare providers for services, limiting interest charges on new medical debt incurred after the law takes effect. The bill sets the interest rate using the Federal Reserve's weekly Treasury yield data from the week before the consumer received their bill. This policy change applies only to new medical debt, not existing balances.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 123: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

SB 123 allows municipalities to hold tax amnesty events once every three years, where taxpayers can request waivers for interest and penalties on overdue property and vehicle taxes. Municipalities must create ordinances authorizing two separate 60-day periods (within 2024-2025) for these waivers, requiring written taxpayer requests dated during those periods. The bill prohibits waiving penalties for taxes owed in the same year as the amnesty period and requires written decisions from tax officials with appeal options to local councils. This directly affects local governments and taxpayers with delinquent property or vehicle tax payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 74: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Creates a special license plate for the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. that would support the Blackstone River Valley Environmental Clean-up and Education Fund.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 5300: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- THREATS AND EXTORTION

HB 5300 amends Rhode Island's criminal code to specifically include election officials and poll workers under the legal definition of "public officials" when addressing threats. This makes threats against these individuals - such as poll workers, election workers, wardens, moderators, and board members - a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. Previously, threats against similar roles might have been treated under broader or less specific provisions. The bill directly affects election workers who perform duties at polling places during elections, providing clearer legal protection for them. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 464: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE GOOD SAMARITAN OVERDOSE PREVENTION ACT OF 2016

Requires every college in RI to train staff members in the student residential department, including RAs, to administer of opioid antagonists with protection from liability and prosecution.

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 602: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Eliminates one of two (2) conflicting versions of the science and technology advisory council authorizing statute, clarifying the structure of the council.

Bill results