Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 8506: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELATING TO CENTRAL FALLS PENSION PLAN

Amends the terms of the pension plan set forth in the respective collective bargaining agreements in effect on July 1, 2026, between Central Falls and the labor organizations representing members of the Central Falls plan.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill amends pension plan terms under collective bargaining agreements, directly supporting worker benefits and collective bargaining rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 3252: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELATING TO CENTRAL FALLS PENSION PLAN

Amends the terms of the pension plan set forth in the respective collective bargaining agreements in effect on July 1, 2026, between Central Falls and the labor organizations representing members of the Central Falls plan.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill amends pension plan terms in collective bargaining agreements, directly protecting worker benefits and supporting labor organization negotiations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3297: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SB 3297 amends the state workers' compensation law to clarify definitions and expand the authority of the workers' compensation court. The bill updates how "earnings capacity" is calculated for injured workers, specifying that courts can consider an employee's ability to work based on their functional impairment without requiring the employer to identify specific job offers. It also clarifies who qualifies as an "employee" and "employer," including state agencies and contractors, while explicitly excluding independent contractors, sole proprietors, and corporate officers. Additionally, the legislation grants the court broader powers to enforce its orders and manage disputes regarding liability, disability status, and medical causation for cases filed after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies definitions and expands court authority to protect injured workers' earnings capacity and benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3296: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PENSION REVOCATION AND REDUCTION ACT

Authorizes the state retirement board to revoke or reduce an individual’s pension benefit if that individual is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to a felony sex crime related to their public office or public employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes pensions from public employees convicted of felony sex crimes, enhancing accountability and protecting victims.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects public employees from retaining pension benefits after committing serious sex crimes, thereby upholding workplace integrity and ethical standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7683: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

HB 7683 increases the minimum monthly death benefits for spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of deceased teachers. The bill raises the lowest benefit tier from $825 to $1,025 per month for those with a deceased member's salary of $17,000 or less, with proportional increases across all salary brackets. It applies to individuals who were living with the deceased teacher at death or receiving support, and who meet age and remarriage requirements. Benefits will adjust annually based on Social Security cost-of-living changes. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state spending on teacher retirement benefits by raising minimum death benefits, directly allocating additional funds for survivor support within public sector fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher retirement death benefits, directly supporting educator financial security and family welfare through enhanced survivor protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases death benefits for teachers' dependents, expanding post-employment financial protection under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2929: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

Eliminates the "until June 30, 2026" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes a sunset provision that would have reduced unemployment benefits, thereby protecting worker benefits and expanding financial support for unemployed workers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7962: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

Eliminates the "until June 30, 2026" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves sunset clause on expanded partial-unemployment benefits, ensuring continued access to higher payments for workers without disqualification.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7674: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

HB 7674 defines public-private partnerships (PPPs) for state property and construction projects, establishing rules for state agencies to use them when they offer "value for money." It requires agencies to evaluate PPPs using cost, quality, and performance comparisons, and mandates that all PPP contracts include prevailing wage requirements, labor harmony plans, and value analysis by experts. The bill directs the chief purchasing officer to create implementation rules by July 2027, consulting with contractors, labor groups, and design professionals. It directly affects state agencies, private contractors, and workers by setting standards for how PPPs are solicited, awarded, and overseen for projects like infrastructure and public buildings.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wage requirements and labor harmony plans in PPP contracts, directly advancing worker pay and labor relations protections in state projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 7926: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASBESTOS ABATEMENT

HB 7926 clarifies and updates existing rules for asbestos removal and radon control by removing outdated language from current regulations. It affects contractors and building owners who perform asbestos abatement or radon mitigation work. The bill makes the requirements clearer and easier to follow without changing the core safety standards. Introduced in February 2026, it focuses on regulatory clarity rather than creating new obligations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies asbestos safety regulations, ensuring clearer compliance for workers' safety without weakening standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7938: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REGISTRATION OF NURSING ASSISTANTS -- QUALIFYING LANGUAGE

HB 7938 requires the state department of health to administer the licensing exam for certified nursing assistants in both English and Spanish. This directly affects nursing assistants seeking licensure, particularly Spanish-speaking applicants, by improving access to the exam. The bill mandates that the exam be offered in both languages without changing the content or requirements for passing. It takes effect upon passage and does not alter other provisions like fee structures or exemptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates bilingual licensing exams for nursing assistants, improving access for Spanish-speaking applicants and enhancing healthcare workforce diversity without altering requirements.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMakes licensing exam accessible in Spanish, removing language barrier for nursing assistants seeking employment.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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