Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 3078: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND LITERACY AND DROPOUT PREVENTION ACT

Redefines dyslexia to mean a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that involve accuracy, speed, or both and vary depending on the orthography.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2772: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- ARCHITECTS

This bill updates the registration requirements for architecture firms and individual architects in Rhode Island. It clarifies that individual architects must maintain valid registration certificates that expire every two years and require renewal fees, with additional requirements if renewal is late. For architecture firms, the bill establishes specific ownership rules requiring two-thirds of leadership to be registered in any state or reciprocal jurisdiction and one-third to be registered in Rhode Island. The legislation also mandates that firms obtain a certificate of authorization from the state board, which must be renewed biennially and requires firms to report changes in ownership or leadership within 30 days. A transition period through 2027 allows existing firms to maintain their current authorizations until they undergo structural changes or leadership transitions.

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2838: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE-- DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE

This bill designates September each year as "Rhode Island Senior Center Month" to highlight the role senior centers play in engaging older residents in the state. The legislation requires that appropriate public events or ceremonies be held to observe this designation. It affects senior centers across Rhode Island and the general public who participate in the observance activities. The change is administrative and symbolic, with no new funding or regulatory requirements.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2503: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- PEACE OFFICER MAXIMUM WORKDAY AND OVERTIME COMPENSATION

SB 2503 establishes a maximum 8-hour workday for most state peace officers (with a 10-hour limit for correctional officer stewards) to protect their health and safety. The bill prohibits the state from requiring overtime beyond these limits, except in unforeseeable emergencies like riots, and only after the employer makes reasonable efforts to secure volunteer staff. If the state violates this rule, it must pay affected officers double time and a half of their regular hourly wage. The law takes effect upon passage and does not override existing collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2622: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Increases the minimum wage amount for any person committed to the adult correctional institution from $3.00 to $5.00 a day for every day the person shall labor.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2620: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

SB 2620 sets the state's minimum wage at $20.00 per hour effective January 1, 2027, as part of a scheduled annual increase. This bill directly affects all covered hourly workers and employers subject to the state's minimum wage law. The legislation amends existing law by adding the 2027 rate to the established schedule, which previously set lower rates for prior years (e.g., $16.00 effective January 1, 2026). It does not include additional provisions beyond establishing this specific wage rate.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2577: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

SB 2577 allows the town of Portsmouth to adopt, repeal, or modify its local tax classification plan for any tax year beginning on or after December 31, 2026. This change gives Portsmouth flexibility in structuring how different property types (like homes, businesses, and personal property) are taxed relative to each other, while still adhering to existing statewide rate limits between tax classes. The bill directly affects Portsmouth property owners and businesses by altering how their local taxes are calculated under the town's chosen classification system. It does not change tax rates themselves but modifies Portsmouth's authority to adjust its tax structure within current legal constraints.

signed · Rhode Island · House May 6, 2026

HB 7662: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

Authorizes the town of Middletown to adopt by ordinance, a veterans’ property tax exemption to any veteran, who was honorably discharged, or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, regardless of dates or periods of service.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2651: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- STUDENT CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Directs the department of elementary and secondary education to provide a two-year pilot program that coordinates a national cultural exchange program for students of this state.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2639: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

SB 2639 would allow customers at restaurants and food service businesses to take single-use plastic straws directly from a dispenser instead of needing to request them from staff. This change would directly affect customers seeking straws and food service establishments that currently provide straws only upon request. The bill modifies the default practice for straw distribution without banning plastic straws or imposing new fees. It focuses on streamlining customer access to straws at the point of service.

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2740: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES -- HEALTHCARE WORKER OVERTIME PAY

SB 2740 requires healthcare workers (such as nurses, technicians, and support staff in hospitals or clinics) to receive time-and-a-half pay for any work performed on Sundays or public holidays. This applies directly to employees in healthcare settings who work on these days, mandating higher compensation for that specific schedule. The key provision replaces the current pay structure for Sunday/holiday shifts with a guaranteed 50% premium for all eligible healthcare workers. The bill aims to provide clearer compensation standards for these shifts without altering broader overtime rules.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2738: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PLUMBERS, IRRIGATORS, AND WATER SYSTEM INSTALLERS

Grants hourly credit of 288 hours against 576 hours if graduate of accredited trade school/raises to 4 years of work under master plumber and requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 5 years of registration with DLT.

Bill results