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 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 23, 2026

HB 8524: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION--GENERAL PROVISIONS

This bill updates the definitions used in Rhode Island's workers' compensation system, specifically clarifying who counts as an "employee" and "employer" for legal purposes. It expands the workers' compensation court's authority to manage cases for state employees and airport workers starting in July 2025, allowing the court to decide on issues like disability status and suitable job offers. The legislation also refines how "earnings capacity" is calculated, establishing rules for when an injured worker is presumed to have regained their ability to earn money, such as after successfully working light duty for at least 13 weeks. Additionally, it clarifies that corporate officers who were previously employees generally remain covered under the act unless specific waiver procedures are followed.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands workers' compensation court authority and clarifies employee definitions, strengthening protections for state and airport workers.85% 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 · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7040: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MUNICIPAL POLICE ARBITRATION

Extends provisions of an existing collective bargaining agreement for municipal police arbitration purposes until a successor agreement is reached or an interest arbitration award is rendered.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends existing collective bargaining agreement for municipal police arbitration, maintaining labor relations framework without disruption per bill summary.90% 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 · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2882: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- QUALITY SELF-DIRECTED SUPPORTS ACT OF 2026

Ensures that more developmentally disabled adults can self-direct the care they need and want, by incorporating collective bargaining rights into the self-directed supports program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands self-directed care options for developmentally disabled adults and incorporates collective bargaining rights, improving patient access and autonomy in healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly incorporates collective bargaining rights into self-directed supports program, directly advancing worker organizing and bargaining protections for developmentally disabled adults.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7857: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EXHAUST SYSTEM INSPECTION AND CLEANING, LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACT

Establishes the commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection and cleaning licensing and certification act. Requires entities inspecting or cleaning commercial exhaust systems to be licensed and insured.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires licensing/certification for kitchen exhaust system inspections, enhancing workplace safety standards for commercial kitchen workers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7041: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FIREFIGHTERS' ARBITRATION

Provides that all contractual provisions in a firefighters collective bargaining agreement continue until a successor agreement has been reached or an interest arbitration award has been rendered.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures firefighters' existing contract terms remain in effect during negotiations/arbitration, directly supporting collective bargaining continuity and worker protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment