Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 7413: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND ECONOMIC GROWTH BLOCKCHAIN ACT

Creates a council to supervise, manage and regulate special depository institutions. The act also allows for the controlled issuance of limited waivers of regulatory requirements for the creators of innovative financial products.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates regulatory flexibility for blockchain-based financial products via a council, enabling innovation in emerging technology without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 7337: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATORY SANDBOX ACT

HB 7337 establishes Rhode Island's Biotechnology Regulatory Sandbox Program under the Department of Business Regulation. The program allows biotech companies, research institutions, or entities to test new products or services with limited exemptions from state licensing and regulatory requirements during a controlled trial period. Applicants must submit detailed applications demonstrating safety, consumer benefits, financial stability, and a plan for handling test failures, while coordinating with state and federal agencies like the FDA. The sandbox directly affects biotech innovators seeking market access and consumers who may use the tested products under temporary regulatory flexibility. It requires participants to maintain liability coverage and ensures consumer protection throughout the testing phase.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates regulatory sandbox for biotech innovation, enabling testing with exemptions to advance technology development in a specific sector.85% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2195: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANION MODELS

Creates additional safety features for AI companion technology that include addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial harm to others expressed by a user. It also requires notification the AI companion does not have human emotions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds safety features for AI companions addressing harm risks and mandates transparency about non-human emotions, aligning with consumer protection regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2345: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT AND INVESTMENT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND BROADBAND OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2026

This bill repeals a law that previously blocked Rhode Island from monitoring or regulating broadband services, removing a barrier to state oversight. It requires the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to develop a plan for a broadband oversight office to monitor service quality, map coverage gaps, and coordinate federal broadband funding. The bill is necessary to meet federal requirements for managing programs like the BEAD grant, which demand ongoing state-level tracking of broadband performance and coverage. This oversight structure will enable the state to better manage public broadband investments and address unserved areas.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRepeals barriers to broadband regulation, mandates oversight office to map coverage gaps and coordinate federal funding, advancing internet access and digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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signed · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7007: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS

HB 7007 allows eligible disabled voters and military/veteran voters (covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) to receive and return mail ballots electronically. The bill amends election laws to permit secure electronic transmission of ballots through systems meeting NIST cybersecurity standards, with independent security reviews required. It specifically extends the existing electronic ballot process - previously for military voters - to include disabled voters who meet accessibility criteria (e.g., blindness, mobility impairment). Voters submitting ballots electronically will not need to witness or notarize signatures, aligning with federal accessibility standards under the Rehabilitation Act. The bill expires December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates NIST cybersecurity standards and independent security reviews for electronic ballot transmission, directly enhancing election cybersecurity measures.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly extends electronic ballot access to military/veteran voters under UOCAVA, enhancing voting rights and civic participation for veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Tags Elections

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 14, 2026

HB 7129: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Amends the residential landlord and tenant act to prohibit the use of algorithmic renting-setting software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to determine rental prices or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithmic rent-setting using nonpublic competitor data, preventing potential rent inflation and protecting tenants from opaque pricing practices under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits algorithmic software using nonpublic competitor data for rent pricing, restricting tech use in housing market95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2203: 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 ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency for genetic data use, strengthening consumer privacy protections in genetic testing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7357: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- SENSITIVE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT

HB 7357 creates the "Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act" to protect sensitive health information in Rhode Island. It directly affects residents whose data relates to gender-affirming care or reproductive health, and the healthcare providers or businesses handling that data. The law requires explicit, opt-in consent for collecting such data, prohibits deceptive practices for obtaining consent, and defines protected data to include not only direct health information but also derived data (like location patterns or algorithmic inferences) tied to these services. It explicitly excludes publicly available or de-identified research data from coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient data privacy for reproductive/gender-affirming care, aligning with patient rights and healthcare protection in sensitive health services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects sensitive health data privacy through explicit consent requirements, directly aligning with technology data privacy safeguards in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7433: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS

HB 7433 requires law enforcement to obtain a person's consent or a valid search warrant before placing audio or video recording devices on their private property. This bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and guests by protecting their privacy from unauthorized surveillance on their premises. The key provision makes any audio or video evidence collected in violation of this rule inadmissible in criminal or civil court proceedings. The bill, currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee, would take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects privacy rights by requiring warrants for surveillance, making violations inadmissible - enhances police accountability and civil rights in criminal procedure.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects data privacy by requiring warrants for surveillance devices, making unauthorized recordings inadmissible in court, aligning with privacy protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2154: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND DATA PRIVACY ACT

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information and other identifying information of subscribers and customers, except in specified circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates search warrants for electronic data, protecting privacy rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for law enforcement access to electronic data, strengthening privacy protections per bill summary. Directly aligns with support indicators for data privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Data Privacy

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