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 · 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 · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3119: 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 & EmploymentBill extends collective bargaining agreement provisions for municipal police, supporting labor relations and protecting workers' rights through arbitration mechanisms.85% 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 · 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 · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2925: 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 protects firefighters' collective bargaining agreements until new agreements or arbitration are reached, strengthening labor relations and worker protections.85% 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 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

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7361: 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 enables self-directed care for developmentally disabled adults, expanding patient autonomy and access to behavioral healthcare services through collective bargaining rights in support programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncorporates collective bargaining rights into self-directed supports program for developmentally disabled adults, advancing workers' rights through collective bargaining mechanisms.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment