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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 25,118 Active 5 In committee 20,549 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972

Bill results

died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 7394: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM

HB 7394 requires Rhode Island's Department of Human Services to automatically enroll families receiving cash assistance under the Rhode Island Works Program (Section 40-5.2-11) into SNAP benefits if they meet SNAP's standard eligibility requirements. This change eliminates the need for separate SNAP applications for qualifying families already approved for cash assistance. The bill directly affects low-income households receiving state cash aid who would otherwise need to apply separately for food assistance. It streamlines access to nutrition benefits by linking eligibility determinations between the two programs, with no new benefit amounts or requirements added. The policy takes effect upon passage, applying to all families meeting both programs' criteria.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAutomatically enrolls cash aid recipients into SNAP, expanding access to food benefits for low-income households, directly supporting employment-related financial stability.90% confidence
Dick Fascia (R) David Place (R) Marie Hopkins (R) Paul Santucci (R)
died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 7393: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- RHODE ISLAND CHILDCARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT

HB 7393, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," expands eligibility for childcare assistance to families with incomes at or below 85% of the state median income, aligning with federal guidelines. This change directly affects low-income families with children under 12 who need childcare to work, attend job training, or enroll in college. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to provide free childcare for families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and a sliding fee scale (capping at 7% of income) for others. It also maintains a $1 million liquid assets limit for eligibility and emphasizes meeting federal "equal access" standards for childcare rates.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded childcare assistance for low-income families, requiring DHS to cover costs - increases public service funding per bill's mandates.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands childcare access for low-income families, enabling parents to enroll in college/job training - directly supports educational access as defined in the topic.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands childcare assistance for low-income families to work, attend job training, or college, directly enabling workforce participation and supporting employment standards.95% confidence
Scott Slater (D) Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith (D) Cherie Cruz (D) Grace Diaz (D) Julie Casimiro (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 2362: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 3.34% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state funding for teacher retirement benefits and modifies pension tax treatment, directly advancing public spending on essential programs.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher retirement benefits and COLA, directly supporting educator financial security per bill's summary.90% confidence
Lou DiPalma (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Bridget Valverde (D) Victoria Gu (D) Sue Sosnowski (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 2374: 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 ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesChanges retirement benefit cutoff to 2012, reducing future state expenditures on retirement benefits, promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationChanges retirement cutoff to 2012, reducing teacher benefit calculations based on lower historical salaries, weakening teacher compensation.85% confidence
Walter Felag (D) Matt LaMountain (D) David Tikoian (D) Lou DiPalma (D) John Burke (D)
in committee · Rhode Island · House May 13, 2026

HB 8548: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL PUPILS BEYOND CITY AND TOWN LIMITS

This bill reorganizes school bus transportation zones in Rhode Island by moving the towns of Warren and Bristol from Region III to Region V. The change affects students in these towns who rely on public school buses, as their designated service area will shift to align with neighboring communities in the new region. Effective July 1, 2026, the legislation updates the official list of towns assigned to each transportation district without altering the rules for how bus services are provided or paid for.
Susan Donovan (D) June Speakman (D) Jason Knight (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2784: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Provides that no new charter school application shall be granted, if the proposed school is a network charter school or the expansion of an existing charter school creates a network charter school.
Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts charter school expansion and network formation, limiting educational access and school choice options85% confidence
Ryan Pearson (D) Brian Thompson (D) Sam Zurier (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Alana DiMario (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SR 2920: SENATE RESOLUTION URGING STATE AGENCIES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO RETIREMENT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR RHODE ISLAND STATE EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE A SECURE AND DIGNIFIED RETIREMENT

This Senate resolution urges Rhode Island state agencies to expand access to retirement advice and guidance for state employees to help them achieve secure retirements. The bill recommends agencies develop programs offering regular workshops, one-on-one counseling from certified financial advisors, decision-support tools, and multiple communication channels for employees. It specifically encourages prioritizing support for employees facing greater retirement challenges and recommends partnering with qualified financial providers to ensure workers understand their hybrid retirement plans. The resolution also calls for measuring program effectiveness through employee engagement data and encourages employees to assess whether they are on track to receive 80 percent of their pre-retirement income.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands retirement benefits and financial guidance for state employees, strengthening worker benefits and retirement security.85% confidence
Ryan Pearson (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Sam Zurier (D) David Tikoian (D) Hanna Gallo (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2933: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS’ TENURE

Allows the dismissal of a teacher after the March 1 deadline if there is gross misconduct by a teacher upon a student. This act would allow the notice to be given at any time and will not have time constraints.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens teacher accountability and student safety by allowing dismissal for gross misconduct, protecting educational environment and student welfare.85% confidence
Thomas Paolino (R) Mark McKenney (D) Bridget Valverde (D) Alana DiMario (D) Ana Quezada (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 3137: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' TENURE

Requires any teacher under suspension for criminal conduct to repay the school district for any salary received if convicted of a felony, less any amounts paid to satisfy taxes and employee benefits. It also makes one typographical correction.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects school districts from financial loss due to teacher misconduct, indirectly supporting educational stability and resource allocation.85% confidence
Lou DiPalma (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2625: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

SB 2625 requires school districts sending students to regional vocational schools for career and technical education (CTE) or pathways programs to receive regular updates from the receiving district. It mandates quarterly reports on student status (or immediate updates for major changes like withdrawal) and adjusts cost-sharing: home districts pay only the actual cost of services provided by the receiving district (not their own higher per-pupil spending), and only the actual transportation cost to the vocational school. This directly affects all Rhode Island school districts participating in CTE or pathways programs outside a student’s home district. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, aiming to clarify financial responsibilities and improve communication between districts.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates reporting and adjusts cost-sharing to reduce financial barriers for vocational education access, improving program sustainability and student pathways in K-12 CTE.85% confidence
Bob Britto (D) Matt LaMountain (D) Mark McKenney (D) David Tikoian (D) Pete Appollonio (D)
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