Rhode Island Bills

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SR 366: SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 82ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE "FOUR CHAPLAINS", THE FOUR MEN OF GOD WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES DURING WORLD WAR II SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE

This Senate Resolution (SR 366) commemorates the 82nd anniversary of the "Four Chaplains" - four military chaplains who died in World War II while sacrificing their lives to save others. It honors their actions during the 1943 torpedoing of the SS Dorchester, where they gave up their life jackets to help fellow soldiers. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to Rhode Island veterans' and military organizations. As a commemorative measure, it has no policy changes or direct impact on individuals or programs.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SR 368: SENATE RESOLUTION WELCOMING SCOUTING AMERICA, NARRAGANSETT COUNCIL, TO THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE AND JOYFULLY CELEBRATING SCOUTING MONTH IN FEBRUARY

This Senate resolution (SR 368) formally welcomes Scouting America's Narragansett Council to the Rhode Island State House and celebrates Scouting Month in February. It expresses gratitude for the Council's community service, including 19,653 volunteer hours and 177,847 pounds of food collected in 2024. The resolution is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or funding provisions, serving only to recognize the organization's contributions. It was passed unanimously by the Senate on February 25, 2025.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SR 371: SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 181ST ANNIVERSARY OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC INDEPENDENCE ON FEBRUARY 27, 2025

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 371) commemorating the 181st anniversary of Dominican Republic Independence on February 27, 2025. It formally recognizes the historical significance of Dominican independence, the contributions of Dominicans to Rhode Island (including the estimated 54,000 Dominican residents and their community impact), and the strong U.S.-Dominican relationship. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes; it is purely symbolic, expressing the Senate's acknowledgment of this historical milestone and the Dominican-American community's role in Rhode Island. It does not affect any individuals, policies, or government operations.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SR 372: SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE MURPHY FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JOHN M. MURPHY

This Senate Resolution (SR 372) expresses the Rhode Island Senate's deepest condolences to the Murphy family following the passing of John M. Murphy. It formally recognizes his life and contributions, including his career as a banking executive, philanthropy supporting institutions like Providence College and St. Joseph's Hospital, and his service on the Providence City Council. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to transmit a certified copy to Grace Murphy and her family. As a commemorative measure, it does not create any new laws or policy changes.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SR 370: SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY OF 2025, AS "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This Senate Resolution (SR 370) formally declares February 2025 as "Black History Month" in Rhode Island. It recognizes the historical contributions of African Americans to the state's social, economic, and cultural development, referencing Rhode Island's role in Black history and the 2025 national theme focused on "African Americans and Labor." The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups; it is a symbolic gesture of acknowledgment. The Secretary of State is directed to send a certified copy to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SR 369: SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND CALLING FOR THE END OF STIGMA AND EMPOWERING RECOVERY THROUGH LANGUAGE IN RHODE ISLAND

This Senate resolution recognizes September as Substance Use Recovery Awareness Month in Rhode Island and urges state agencies, healthcare providers, educators, employers, and media to replace stigmatizing terms (like "addict" or "clean") with respectful, person-first language (e.g., "person with a substance use disorder"). It directs state entities to review all official materials for non-stigmatizing language and requires future substance use policies to be developed with input from the statewide recovery advocacy workgroup. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but focuses on changing communication practices to reduce stigma and support recovery. It was passed by the Senate on February 25, 2025.

passed · Rhode Island · House Feb 12, 2025

HR 5482: HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING CONGRATULATIONS

HR 5482 is a ceremonial House resolution that extends congratulations to 25 specific students at the Community College of Rhode Island for earning Fall 2024 Dean's List recognition. It directly affects these students by formally acknowledging their academic achievement through a symbolic House resolution. The bill contains no policy changes or mechanisms - it is purely a statement of commendation with no legislative effect. As a procedural resolution, it does not impose requirements or alter laws.

passed · Rhode Island · House Feb 12, 2025

HR 5481: HOUSE RESOLUTION JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING PATRICE WOOD'S 45TH ANNIVERSARY WORKING AS A DISTINGUISHED JOURNALIST SERVING THE RHODE ISLAND AND GREATER NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY

This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 5481) passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives on February 12, 2025, to commemorate Patrice Wood's 45th anniversary as a journalist at WJAR NBC 10 in Providence. It formally celebrates her career milestones, including her roles as anchor for multiple newscasts and her work as an education reporter, and recognizes her advocacy for children in foster care that contributed to adoption placements. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses legislative appreciation and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to Ms. Wood. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or affect any specific group beyond honoring the individual.

passed · Rhode Island · House Feb 12, 2025

HR 5480: HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DR. JOSEPH J. BOX

HR 5480 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives expressing condolences to the family of Dr. Joseph J. Box following his death. The bill formally honors Dr. Box's life, highlighting his service as a dentist, U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Dental Technician, community leader, and Pawtucket resident. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to his children. As a memorial resolution with no policy changes, it does not affect any laws or individuals beyond this symbolic gesture.

passed · Rhode Island · House Feb 12, 2025

HR 5483: HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING CONDOLENCES

This is a ceremonial resolution expressing the Rhode Island House of Representatives' sympathy for the families of individuals who recently passed away. It specifically names 11 people (including Rosemary Smith and Janet Sidelinger) whose deaths were noted, and lists the representatives associated with them. The resolution formally extends condolences and requests the Secretary of State to transmit a memorial to the bereaved families. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal expression of respect.

passed · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2025

HR 5409: HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025, AS "211 DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND HONORING UNITED WAY 211 FOR ITS SERVICE TO RHODE ISLANDERS

This bill is a ceremonial resolution designating February 11, 2025, as "211 Day" in Rhode Island to honor United Way 211. It recognizes United Way 211 as a free, 24/7 service providing vital connections to health, housing, food, and disaster assistance for Rhode Islanders, including support in nearly 200 languages. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely serves to publicly acknowledge the organization's role in community support and crisis response, noting it handled 213,000 assistance requests in 2024-2025. The House passed it on February 11, 2025, directing the Secretary of State to share certified copies with United Way and partners.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 11, 2025

SR 219: SENATE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE OZANIAN FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF JAMES W. OZANIAN

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 219), not a substantive bill. It formally expresses the Rhode Island Senate's condolences to Barbara Ozanian and her family following the death of James W. Ozanian, a longtime Woonsocket resident, U.S. Postal Service employee, and Vietnam War veteran. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Ozanian family. As a condolence resolution, it has no policy impact or effect on any laws or regulations.

Bill results