Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7478: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- HOMEOWNER CASUALTY INSURANCE BILL OF RIGHTS

HB 7478 creates a "Homeowner Casualty Insurance Bill of Rights" for Rhode Island residents filing property insurance claims. It requires insurers to provide policyholders with a clear, written summary of their claims process rights within 14 days of a claim being reported, including specific timelines for acknowledgment (14 days), investigation confirmation (20 days), and settlement (30 days). The bill summarizes existing state law - such as the right to receive claim updates and contact the state insurance division - and advises homeowners on documenting damage, verifying contractors, and managing repairs. It does not create new legal rights or allow lawsuits against insurers, nor does it override existing policy terms.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7508: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CLEAN SLATE ACT

Authorizes the automatic expungement of eligible conviction records by operation of law, initiated and completed by state agencies through electronic processes established within the judicial system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7555: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURES -- IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS

Provides that individual counts of a district court criminal complaint dismissed pursuant to Rule 48(a) would be sealed administratively by the court clerk upon the defendant’s request.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7652: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SENTENCE AND EXECUTION

Requires sentencing court to consider whether defendant is parent of child, or caregiver of elderly, disabled or terminally ill person whose well-being would be adversely affected by the person's incarceration and if so, shall impose a non-jail sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7605: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

HB 7605 requires vehicle sellers to provide written notice to buyers before sale if a vehicle was used in a violent crime or exposed to biohazardous contamination (such as blood, bodily fluids, or infectious materials requiring professional cleanup). This applies to all sellers, including dealerships and private parties, and directly affects buyers who might otherwise unknowingly purchase such vehicles. The bill amends deceptive trade practices law to declare failure to disclose these conditions an unfair or deceptive act. It takes effect immediately upon passage, with no specified effective date beyond that.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2541: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY

SB 2541 repeals the legal authority allowing the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to collect tolls on state roads and bridges. This directly affects the Authority and drivers using the Newport Bridge, Mount Hope Bridge, Sakonnet River Bridge, Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, and the turnpike. The bill removes the provision that permitted the Authority to "fix and revise... tolls for transit" over these facilities, ending the legal basis for toll collection. The change would require the Authority to operate these infrastructure projects without toll revenue, shifting funding mechanisms. No new tolls or changes to existing toll rates are involved - only the repeal of the underlying authorization.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Transportation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2578: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Permits but not directs a municipality to establish, by ordinance, certain requirements regarding accessory dwelling units regarding ownership for 5 years, non-family ADUs to be rented at affordable rates and limit size to 1,000 sq. ft.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7842: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- STATE OF RHODE ISLAND INTERIOR DESIGN PRACTICE ACT

HB 7842 would establish the State of Rhode Island Interior Design Practice Act, creating a regulatory framework for interior designers in the state. The bill aims to control and regulate the profession by setting standards for qualifications, ethics, and scope of practice. It directly affects interior designers practicing in Rhode Island, requiring them to meet these state-defined standards to legally offer services. The bill is currently in early stages, having been introduced and referred to the House Corporations committee on February 27, 2026.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7843: AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND DECENTRALIZED AUTONOMOUS ORGANIZATION ACT

Establishes the “Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) Act” that would position Rhode Island as a forward-thinking leader in blockchain innovation by giving DAOs clear legal status as limited liability companies.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7861: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES

Prohibits the use of genetic information for purposes of determining eligibility, setting premium rates, or imposing preexisting condition exclusions for life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7860: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES

Establishes minimum limitations standards for structural property damage claims, and voids any policy provision, endorsement, condition, limitation, agreement, or claim practice that shortens those standards.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 7835: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- ARCHITECTS

HB 7835 amends Rhode Island's architecture registration laws, affecting individual architects and architecture firms. It changes certificate expiration dates to December 31 of odd-numbered years for individuals and even-numbered years for firms. The bill requires firms to obtain a separate "certificate of authorization" from the board, mandating that two-thirds of leadership (partners/directors/managers) be registered architects, with one-third specifically registered in architecture (not engineering), and the person in charge must be a registered architect within the firm. Firms must submit detailed organizational information to the board and renew their authorization every two years.

Bill results