Recognizes that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize interest arbitration and would establish new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors include comparisons of wages/hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs.
Allows a clinical laboratory, that is incorporated in the State of Rhode Island, to analyze blood samples, from children under the age of six (6) years, for blood lead levels.
Maddy summarySB 743 allows state employees in non-classified positions (including those at postsecondary and K-12 education agencies) to negotiate longevity payments as part of future collective bargaining agreements, effective July 1, 2025. Currently, such payments are prohibited for most employees under existing rules, but this bill reverses that restriction. The legislation specifies that longevity payments - defined as 5% after 10 years and 10% after 20 years of service - would not count toward base salary. It applies broadly across state education boards and other agencies, replacing a 2011 ban on new longevity increases.
Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and would increase penalties for malicious injury to or killing of animals.
Establishes a restricted receipt account at the DLT for hospitality industry workforce training grants, funded by an annual $50 dollar fee to be charged by RIDOH to food service establishments.
On 7/1/2026, renewal of any existing sports wagering vendor contract by state lottery ceases. Prior to expiration, the lottery shall invite vendors to submit applications for sports wagering awarding not less than 2 but not more than 5 contracts.
Imposes a hospital licensing fee for fiscal year 2026 against net patient-services revenue of every non-government owned hospital for the hospital’s first fiscal year ending on or after January 1, 2024.
Requires employers to protect employees from extreme temperatures through rest breaks, PPE, training, and equipment, and mandates quarterly supervisor training, to recognize and mitigate heat- and cold-related risks.
Allows retired state employees who worked for the unified judicial system as certified or qualified court interpreters to be employed or reemployed for a limited period in a given year.
Prohibits insurance companies from paying a rate that is less than the approved Medicaid rate set by the executive office of health and human services.
