Labor & Employment

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 3152: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICE

This bill modifies retirement benefits for Rhode Island State Police members, affecting both current and former officers. It establishes new rules for calculating retirement pay based on years of service and defines how "whole salary" is determined for different retirement periods, including provisions for overtime pay starting in 2026. The legislation also creates a guaranteed annual benefit adjustment of $1,500 for eligible retirees beginning July 1, 2026, and allows certain members to purchase credit for military service at a 10% cost.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases retirement benefits for state police officers, expanding worker benefits and protecting retired workers' financial security.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 2667: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM--RHODE ISLAND CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT

SB 2667, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," would expand eligibility for Rhode Island's state childcare assistance program to align with federal standards. This change would directly affect low-income working families who currently may not qualify for state childcare subsidies under current rules. The key mechanism is adjusting the state's income and asset thresholds to match the federal benchmark, potentially allowing more families to access subsidized childcare. The bill aims to increase access to affordable childcare for working parents without adding new state costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state childcare subsidies, increasing government spending on essential services for low-income families.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands childcare assistance for low-income working families, removing a barrier to educational access by enabling parental employment and stable childcare for children.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands childcare subsidies for low-income working families, enabling continued employment and reducing financial barriers to work.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2921: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

This bill expands the definition of "employee" under Rhode Island's Fair Employment Practices law to include individuals working in domestic service, such as nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers employed by private households. By making this change, the bill ensures that domestic workers are protected against discrimination based on age, sex, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in the same way as other employees. The legislation applies to employers who hire four or more individuals, though it maintains existing exemptions for religious organizations and their employees. This update removes the previous exclusion of domestic workers from state anti-discrimination protections, bringing them under the same legal framework as other workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands employee protections to domestic workers, strengthening anti-discrimination coverage and advancing labor rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2623: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- ORGAN-DONATION LEAVE ACT

Provides for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ and duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid leave for organ donation, expanding state employee benefits and workplace flexibility under employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2543: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RETIREMENT OF MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES

Increases the number of days a retired municipal employee could work in a calendar year without interruption of pension benefits to ninety (90) days or its equivalent of six hundred thirty (630) hours.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases post-retirement work days without pension loss, protecting municipal retirees' financial benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2499: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE AND FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Creates a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, considering the interests of employers and employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill regulates AI use in workplace to ensure fair employment practices, protecting workers from biased algorithms and advancing labor rights through statutory framework.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates regulatory framework for AI in workplace to ensure fair employment practices, aligning with digital rights protection under technology policy.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 3062: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTH PROFESSIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

This bill expands Rhode Island's existing health professional loan repayment program to include healthcare providers working in primary care settings, in addition to those serving medically underserved populations. The program offers financial assistance to repay student loans for eligible professionals such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who commit to working in designated shortage areas or primary care facilities for at least two years. A state board will administer the program, determining eligible locations based on health professional shortage area designations and primary care provider needs, while reviewing applications and verifying applicant qualifications. The legislation aims to address staffing challenges in primary care by providing incentives to help recruit and retain healthcare workers in areas with limited access to medical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands loan repayment program to increase healthcare provider access in underserved areas, strengthening healthcare workforce and patient access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands loan repayment program for healthcare workers, supporting employment in shortage areas and improving access to healthcare professionals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SR 2753: SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO CONDUCT A VETERANS HOME WORKFORCE ANALYSIS TO GUIDE POLICY AND BUDGET DECISIONS

This Senate resolution asks the Rhode Island Governor to order an analysis of why the state's Veterans Home in Bristol cannot hire enough staff to operate at full capacity. The requested study will examine specific issues such as wages, shift pay, housing, and career opportunities to understand the root causes of the staffing shortage. Based on the findings, the Governor must create a plan to reach full occupancy and include those recommendations in the upcoming state budget. This measure directly affects the Veterans Home, the state's Department of Administration, and the budget process for the 2027-2028 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates a workforce analysis and requires the Governor to include staffing recommendations in the upcoming state budget, directly advancing fiscal planning for essential public services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to resolve staffing shortages at a Veterans Home to improve operational capacity and patient care access.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to resolve staffing shortages by analyzing wages and benefits, indicating support for improving labor conditions.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks to resolve staffing shortages at a Veterans Home to enable full capacity operation, directly supporting veteran care services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SR 2789: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE TEACHER HEALTHCARE PLAN

Creates an 11-member commission to study and make recommendations on a statewide teacher healthcare plan, and would report quarterly as of September 1, 2026, and submit a final report by September 1, 2027, and expires on December 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, directly supporting educators by addressing their health benefits and well-being.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, indicating intent to expand health coverage for educators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan, which would expand worker benefits and improve healthcare access for teachers.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2924: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT

This bill allows employees who are not currently represented by a union to form a group for collective bargaining with their employers. To establish such a group, workers must demonstrate majority support by submitting signed cards from at least 30% of employees to request an election, or by obtaining cards from more than 50% of employees to bypass the election process entirely. The legislation also prohibits state management personnel from encouraging or discouraging employees from exercising their rights and requires employers to provide specific employee information to the exclusive bargaining representative. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers notify the bargaining unit representative within five business days of hiring new employees and provides for union orientation sessions for new hires.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enables employees to form collective bargaining groups, strengthening worker organizing rights and collective bargaining capabilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track