Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2885: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASBESTOS ABATEMENT

This bill updates health and safety laws to remove outdated language and clarify requirements for asbestos removal and radon control. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and health officials who manage buildings with potential asbestos or radon hazards. The legislation aims to modernize existing regulations by ensuring current standards are clearly defined and consistently applied. By refining these rules, the bill seeks to improve safety protocols without changing the fundamental approach to managing these environmental risks.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill improves workplace safety standards for asbestos and radon, directly protecting workers' health and safety in occupational settings.75% 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 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 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

Track

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

Track

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

Track