Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7936: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT

Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes data privacy protections for public health information, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes data privacy protections for public health data, directly aligning with technology policy on data privacy regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8058: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMPUTER CRIME

Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers burden of proof for cyberstalking convictions, expanding criminalization without reform benefits or defendant protections.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill lowers burden of proof for cyberstalking convictions, strengthening online safety protections under digital rights framework.90% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2570: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS NOTIFICATION ACT

SB 2570 requires healthcare providers and facilities to inform patients when artificial intelligence (AI) is used to document in-person or telehealth visits. It applies to all licensed healthcare professionals (like doctors, nurses, and dentists) and facilities that use AI for this specific purpose - recording visit details, not for making medical decisions. The law mandates clear notification to patients before or during their visit, defining AI broadly to include technologies like language models and machine learning systems. This notification requirement takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires patient notification when AI documents visits, enhancing transparency and protecting patient rights in healthcare documentation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates patient notification when AI documents healthcare visits, enhancing data privacy transparency per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Artificial Intelligence

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2428: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

SB 2428 prohibits retailers in Rhode Island from using dynamic or surveillance pricing practices - where prices change based on consumer data or behavior - to sell goods or services to individual consumers. It directly affects retailers (including online sellers) operating within the state, requiring them to set fixed prices rather than algorithmically adjusted ones. The bill defines "price" broadly to include all costs and fees, and aligns with existing deceptive trade practices laws by banning tactics that mislead consumers about pricing. This law takes effect on January 1, 2026, and expires on March 31, 2026, pending further legislative action.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits algorithmic pricing using consumer data, aligning with deceptive trade practices to protect consumers from data-driven price discrimination.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 7957: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS

HB 7957 prohibits government entities from forcing individuals to disclose private keys that control digital assets (like cryptocurrency), digital identities, or other digital rights. It directly affects users of digital assets and online services who rely on private keys for security. The bill’s key provision prevents courts or agencies from compelling the production of these keys, treating them as protected information similar to passwords. As a procedural measure, it does not change existing laws but aims to establish a clear legal barrier against forced disclosure. The bill is currently under review by the House committee.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits government from forcing disclosure of private keys for digital assets, strengthening user data privacy protections per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government Emerging Technology

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 8052: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY--CAUSES OF ACTION

HB 8052 creates a new legal claim for individuals harmed by artificial intelligence systems, allowing them to sue responsible parties in court. It directly affects people injured by AI applications, such as those causing physical harm or financial loss through faulty AI decisions. The bill establishes clear procedures for filing these lawsuits within civil court systems. Currently introduced to the House Judiciary committee (as of February 27, 2026), it has not yet been voted on or passed. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural measure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates legal recourse for AI harm victims, aligning with consumer protection regulations for technology systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7538: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS NOTIFICATION ACT

HB 7538 requires healthcare providers and facilities to inform patients when artificial intelligence (AI) is used to document their in-person or telehealth visits. It directly affects patients receiving care and all licensed healthcare professionals (including doctors, nurses, and dentists) and healthcare facilities covered under the law. The bill mandates clear notification about AI’s specific role in recording visit details, defining AI broadly to include technologies like natural language processing and machine learning. This law focuses solely on transparency about documentation practices, not on regulating AI's medical decision-making or other uses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates patient notification about AI use in care, protecting informed consent rights and transparency in healthcare documentation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates patient notification when AI documents healthcare visits, enhancing transparency and data privacy protections in AI use.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Artificial Intelligence

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7639: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GENETIC INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT

Requires a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, as defined, to provide a consumer with certain information regarding the company’s policies and procedures regarding use of genetic data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires genetic testing companies to disclose data policies, protecting consumer privacy in healthcare services per patient rights indicators.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates genetic testing companies to disclose data policies, directly protecting consumer data privacy per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2601: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FACILITATING BUSINESS RAPID RESPONSE TO STATE DECLARED DISASTER ACT OF 2024

Incorporates cable, broadband, Internet, and wireless means into the crime of injuring electric and communication lines and authorizes municipalities to grant zoning relief for the protection of critical infrastructure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects broadband/internet/wireless infrastructure by criminalizing damage to it and enabling zoning relief for critical infrastructure, directly advancing technology infrastructure security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2638: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION ACT OF 2015

Amends the Identity Theft Protection Act by eliminating current definitions and establishing new definitions. This act also raises the penalty provisions for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises penalties for identity theft violations, strengthening enforcement under criminal justice laws per bill's penalty provisions amendment.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthening identity theft penalties directly enhances data privacy protections, a core aspect of technology policy as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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