Labor & Employment

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

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2501: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

SB 2501 changes when state employees can negotiate salary boosts tied to years of service. Starting July 1, 2026, non-classified state employees (excluding faculty and those already receiving such boosts) will be allowed to negotiate "longevity payments" of 5% after 10 years and 10% after 20 years of service. The bill explicitly ends the current ban on new longevity increases (in place since 2011) and allows future collective bargaining agreements to include these provisions. It applies broadly to state employees across education boards, government agencies, and other state departments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnds 2011 ban on longevity pay, enabling collective bargaining for 5-10% service-based raises after 10/20 years. Directly advances compensation rights for state employees.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2737: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

Expands the benefit definitions of temporary care giver leave to include a grandchild and care recipient and would increase a leave benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and twelve 12 weeks for 2028.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands disability insurance benefits to include more family members, increases benefit duration, and adds self-employed opt-in - directly strengthening worker benefits under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2502: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKPLACE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY ACT

Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects workers from psychological abuse with civil remedies and penalties, directly advancing workplace safety standards under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 2922: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND CENTER FOR EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP

This bill creates the Rhode Island Center for Employee Ownership (RICEO) to help small businesses transition to employee-owned models where workers hold shares in their companies. The center will operate under the existing Business Development Center and provide technical assistance, referrals, and guidance to business owners and employees interested in employee ownership structures. A new advisory committee with representatives from state agencies, labor groups, and business organizations will oversee the center's work and promote awareness of employee ownership as a solution to small business succession challenges. The legislation aims to support Rhode Island's small business community by offering resources that help retain businesses locally while creating new ownership opportunities for workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates center to help workers transition to employee ownership models, expanding worker benefits and equity in businesses.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 2126: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM

Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves compliance barriers for childcare assistance, facilitating workforce participation by eliminating mandatory paternity/child support conditions for eligibility.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 2318: AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- WORKERS' COOPERATIVES

Clarifies the role of a corporation electing to be governed as a workers' cooperative to allow it to operate as a hiring hall under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies workers' cooperative operation as hiring halls, enabling worker-controlled employment models that protect rights and strengthen cooperative employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 2409: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES' ARBITRATION

Recognizes that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and establishes new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors include comparisons of wages/hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates arbitrators to consider wage comparisons for similar roles, strengthening municipal employees' bargaining power and fair compensation in labor disputes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2160: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RHODE ISLAND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT ACT

Prohibits noncompete agreements except for noncompete agreements between a seller and buyer of a business; creates civil action for an employer for the violation of an agreement by employee regarding disclosure or wrongful utilization of trade secrets.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits most noncompete agreements, protecting workers' mobility and job-changing rights, directly advancing labor rights protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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