Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7589: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Provides the general assembly make an annual appropriation of not less than eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) to the Rhode Island emergency management agency to assist with emergency communications during major or multiple emergency incidents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7553: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Provides the review and appeal process for individuals applying for a permit or license to carry a handgun with the licensing authority or attorney general.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7647: AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT -- JUVENILE RECORDS

HB 7647 allows law enforcement to access juvenile criminal records during firearm background checks under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This affects juveniles who were processed through family court but not yet turned 21, as their sealed records can now be reviewed for gun purchases. The bill adds a specific exception to existing sealing rules (Section 14-1-64(c)), permitting this access until the individual reaches age 21. It does not change general sealing procedures for juvenile records or public access to other court documents. The policy change directly impacts firearm background checks for young adults who had prior juvenile court involvement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7650: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Provides that any person eighteen (18) years of age who is issued a license or permit may carry a stun gun. It would impose criminal penalties for a person to sell or transfer a stun gun to a person under the age of eighteen (18).

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7632: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AGE-APPROPRIATE DESIGN CODE

Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7636: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- SUICIDE PREVENTION--VOLUNTARY FIREARM RESTRICTIONS ACT

Creates process for individual to voluntarily be either temporarily or indefinitely added to a list restricting their rights to purchase or possess firearms. Adds civil fines and misdemeanor for violations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7691: AN ACT RELATING TO LIBRARIES -- STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

Requires that the state's share to public libraries be fixed at twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated by the city or town in their budgets for fiscal year 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HR 7707: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $800,000 TO WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE

HR 7707 is a legislative resolution appropriating $800,000 from the state treasury to support the operational costs of WaterFire Providence, a nonprofit arts organization. This funding, designated for fiscal year 2026-2027, directly supports WaterFire's year-round activities, including its signature river bonfire events and the WaterFire Arts Center. The resolution authorizes the state controller to pay the funds upon receipt of proper documentation. It does not alter existing laws or create new programs, but provides direct financial assistance to an organization cited for generating significant tourism revenue and community engagement in Providence.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7746: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CHILDREN’S ONLINE SAFETY ACT

Provides protections to children using online platforms by requiring platforms to turn off open chats by default for young users, and requires parent to approve children's financial transactions on gaming and social media sites.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7755: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS -- RESPONSIBLE FIREARM PURCHASING ACT

Changes the application to purchase a firearm. Further, this act would require all persons seeking to possess a firearm except for police and military personnel to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 2532: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Amends the definition of farm and agricultural land to include land on which agricultural operations are being conducted or is suitable for agriculture operations, and further expand the definition of a farmer.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 2526: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE PAUL W. CROWLEY RHODE ISLAND STUDENT INVESTMENT INITIATIVE

SB 2526 terminates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's extension of the Providence Public Schools (PPSD) turnaround plan, which had been set to continue until October 2027. This bill directly affects Providence Public Schools by ending their current oversight structure under the state's student investment initiative. The key provision nullifies the specific administrative extension issued on August 29, 2024, making it "null and void and terminated." The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, ending the extended oversight period for PPSD. This is a procedural bill that modifies an existing administrative action rather than creating new educational policy.

Bill results