Technology

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2196: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS

SB 2196 prohibits courts or government entities from forcing individuals to reveal private keys that control access to digital assets (like cryptocurrency), digital identities, or other digital rights. It applies directly to people holding such keys, such as cryptocurrency owners or digital service users. The law allows exceptions only if a public key cannot be used to access the asset or information. This does not prevent legal actions requiring the transfer of the digital asset itself, only the forced disclosure of the private key. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects data privacy by prohibiting forced disclosure of private keys for digital assets, directly advancing digital rights and privacy safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 2129: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE HEALTH DATA PRIVACY ACT

Classifies, research, intent and interest in healthcare services as protected healthcare data. Adds responsibilities for regulated entities that seek to collect and share consumer data including a requirement for specific and conspicuous consumer consent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy for reproductive and gender-affirming care data through mandatory consent requirements, aligning with patient rights protections in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates explicit consent for health data sharing and classifies healthcare data as protected, directly strengthening data privacy protections in technology-related healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2346: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

SB 2346 creates tax exemptions for property, tangible personal property, sales, and use taxes to incentivize the development of qualified data centers in Rhode Island. It directly affects data center developers and operators who meet the bill's criteria, including those making eligible costs for construction, equipment, and site development. The key provision allows qualifying data center projects to avoid these taxes on specific expenses like land, buildings, equipment, and labor costs related to construction. This policy aims to attract data center investments by reducing development costs for businesses meeting the defined standards. The bill modifies existing law governing the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to implement these tax incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemptions for data center developers, providing targeted tax relief as a fiscal policy action within Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemptions incentivize data center development, directly supporting technology infrastructure investment and attracting tech industry growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2197: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACT

SB 2197 requires mental health professionals (such as licensed therapists, counselors, and social workers) to obtain specific written consent before using artificial intelligence for administrative tasks like scheduling or record-keeping. The bill bans AI tools designed to simulate emotional bonds or make therapeutic decisions during client sessions, including those used with recorded therapy. It prohibits AI from directly interacting with clients or replacing human judgment in treatment, while allowing limited AI use for non-therapeutic support under strict oversight. The law applies to all licensed mental health providers offering therapy or psychotherapy services in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by banning AI from making therapeutic decisions and requiring consent, strengthening mental health service safeguards.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans AI from simulating emotional bonds, making therapeutic decisions, or replacing human judgment in mental health care, directly restricting technology application in sensitive healthcare contexts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7208: 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 JusticeRequires law enforcement to obtain warrants for electronic data, protecting privacy rights and enhancing accountability in criminal procedure.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for law enforcement access to electronic data, strengthening privacy protections per bill's core mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2266: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

SB 2266 bans landlords and property managers from using computer programs (including AI tools) that rely on secret rental data from other landlords or tenants to set or adjust rent for residential properties. It specifically prohibits algorithms using nonpublic competitor data - like actual rent prices, occupancy rates, or lease details - to determine rent amounts or changes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with limited exemptions for housing programs, monthly market reports, and basic internal record-keeping systems. It directly affects residential landlords who currently use such tools to price rentals.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans AI algorithms using secret competitor data for rent setting, directly protecting tenants from opaque rent manipulation and strengthening tenant protections per housing topic indicators.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans AI algorithms using secret competitor data for rent setting, restricting tech misuse that could harm tenant data privacy and pricing transparency.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Artificial Intelligence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2406: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AGE-APPROPRIATE DESIGN CODE

Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates tech companies to prioritize children's best interests in design, protecting digital rights and privacy through regulatory requirements for child-safe online services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 7333: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT AND INVESTMENT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND BROADBAND OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2026

HB 7333 creates the Rhode Island Broadband Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026 to remove legal barriers preventing state oversight of broadband services. It repeals a prior law that effectively banned Rhode Island from monitoring or regulating broadband performance, requiring the Commerce Corporation to develop a broadband office plan. This office would map coverage, monitor service quality, identify unserved areas, coordinate federal broadband funds (like BEAD), and ensure transparent reporting. The bill directly affects all Rhode Island residents and businesses relying on broadband for essential services like healthcare, education, and government access. It establishes concrete mechanisms for managing public broadband investments and meeting federal requirements for ongoing performance tracking.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes broadband oversight to map coverage, monitor service quality, identify unserved areas, and coordinate federal funds for expanded internet access and infrastructure deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7190: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE BY HEALTH INSURERS TO MANAGE COVERAGE AND CLAIMS ACT

HB 7190 requires health insurers in Rhode Island to disclose how they use artificial intelligence (AI) to manage healthcare claims and coverage decisions. Insurers must report AI models, training data, performance metrics, and documentation of AI-influenced decisions to state regulators, and maintain records for five years. Crucially, the bill mandates that any AI-driven denial of medically necessary care must be reviewed and approved by a licensed healthcare provider with the same specialty as the ordering provider before finalization. This directly affects insurers, enrollees (patients), and healthcare providers by adding human oversight to AI decisions on coverage. The law aims to ensure transparency and accountability in AI use for non-administrative coverage decisions, such as denials of medically necessary treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates human review of AI-denied medically necessary care, protecting patient access and preventing unjust denials in insurance coverage decisions.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates insurer transparency on AI use in healthcare decisions, requiring disclosure of models/data and provider review of denials - aligns with regulating AI for consumer protection.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 7120: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT AND INVESTMENT ACT

Establishes a statewide broadband community outreach coordinator to assist state residents interested in learning more and/or applying for, the federal Affordable Connectivity Program.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes broadband outreach coordinator to expand federal program access, directly advancing internet connectivity for residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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