Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 8578: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- FAMILY CAREGIVERS SUPPORT ACT OF 2013

This bill, known as the Family Caregivers Support Act of 2013, aims to protect employees who care for family members from discrimination in the workplace. It makes it illegal for employers to refuse to hire someone, fire them, or penalize them in any way because of their caregiving duties. The law also requires employers to consider requests for flexible schedules or remote work to handle medical appointments and therapy, unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense for the business. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees have some flexibility if they can prove that meeting these requests would be too burdensome. If a caregiver believes their rights were violated, the Human Rights Commission is authorized to investigate and order remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, and compensation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects employees' ability to provide caregiving, supporting access to health services and family care.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects employees from discrimination due to caregiving duties and mandates reasonable accommodation, directly advancing worker rights.95% confidence

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 8392: HOUSE RESOLUTION DESIGNATING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "SECOND CHANCE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates April 2026 as 'Second Chance Month' in Rhode Island to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with past arrest or conviction records. The resolution highlights how background checks and legal barriers often limit opportunities for employment, housing, and education for these individuals. It formally recognizes the importance of second chances and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to specific community organizations focused on formerly incarcerated people.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes criminal justice reform by raising awareness of barriers for individuals with past convictions and advocating for second chances.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes employment opportunities for individuals with criminal records by raising awareness and addressing barriers like background checks.85% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 3251: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Allows teachers, state and municipal employees to retire upon the earlier of reaching age sixty (60) with thirty (30) years of service or the employee's retirement eligibility date under present state statutes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands retirement eligibility for teachers and municipal employees, enhancing worker benefits and protecting retirement rights.85% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics State Budget Public Employees National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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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

Sub-Topics Public Employees Retirement Benefits

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 8432: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ASSAULTS

This bill amends state assault laws to classify attacking a railroad worker as a felony if the assault causes physical injury. The change specifically targets individuals who knowingly and willfully strike or spray a railroad worker with a noxious chemical while the worker is performing their duties. Under this proposal, anyone convicted of this offense could face up to three years in prison, a fine of $1,500, or both. The legislation applies to railroad employees who are on the job and does not alter penalties for other types of assaults or attacks on other protected groups.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by classifying assaults on railroad workers as felonies, enhancing penalties to protect workers and deter violence.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workplace safety by criminalizing assaults on railroad workers, protecting their right to perform duties without fear of violence.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens safety for railroad workers, a key transportation sector, by criminalizing assaults on them.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Collective Bargaining Rail

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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

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 8465: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

This bill requires state-funded public works projects involving glass installation to hire certified workers, with the number of certified employees on each crew increasing from one to 50% over a four-year period starting in 2024. It defines "public works projects" broadly to include any construction or renovation undertaken by the state, municipalities, or schools that exceed specific spending thresholds, such as one million dollars for renovations or five million dollars for new construction. The Department of Labor and Training is tasked with enforcing these rules, which include holding hearings for violations and imposing fines or license revocations for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates hiring certified workers for public works, enhancing workforce standards and protecting worker qualifications.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2026

HB 8505: 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 & EmploymentBill explicitly protects workers from psychological abuse and establishes civil remedies and penalties, directly strengthening workplace safety and worker rights.95% confidence

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