Provides that violations of § 11-37.1-10 relating to failing to register as a sex offender are subject to the duration and frequency of registrations pursuant to § 11-37.1-4.
Requires landlords of residential properties built before 1978 to register lead hazard mitigation information with the department of health and the information would remain private and only accessible by specific entities.
Substitutes "housing resources commission" with "department of health" for lead hazard mitigation purposes. It also makes it easier for a property owner to release funds put into an escrow account, if needed to make required repairs or improvements.
Maddy summarySB 2596 requires family courts to grant post-separation visitation rights for siblings separated through adoption, foster care, or guardianship. It directly affects children in these situations and their separated siblings, ensuring they can maintain contact unless it harms a child's well-being. The bill mandates courts to approve visitation if it serves the child's best interests, there's a strong emotional bond, and parents/guardians negotiate in good faith. It also requires children aged 12+ to be heard in court and prohibits monetary damages in related disputes. The law takes effect upon passage.
Maddy summarySB 2536 modifies Rhode Island's personal income tax code to exclude up to $25,000 of social security income from taxable income for residents. This change applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, directly affecting Rhode Island residents receiving social security benefits. The bill amends Section 44-30-12 to add this exclusion as a modification reducing federal adjusted gross income. It does not change other tax provisions but specifically lowers taxable income for qualifying social security recipients. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Finance Committee after introduction on February 13, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 2672 would gradually reduce the state's personal income tax rates over time. This bill directly affects individuals who pay state income tax by lowering their tax burden through phased cuts. The key mechanism involves decreasing tax rates in scheduled steps rather than all at once, as outlined in the bill's abstract. The bill was introduced to the Senate Finance Committee on February 27, 2026, and remains in early legislative review.
Allows a landlord that did not obtain a lead certificate pursuant to the lead mitigation laws of chapter 128.1 of title 42 due to the fact that the state lacks the adequate resources to conduct inspections.
Maddy summarySB 2238 creates a new 3% tax rate on Rhode Island taxable income exceeding $640,000 (in 2026 dollars) for tax years beginning in 2027 and later. This additional tax applies only to high-income earners - specifically, individuals with taxable income above this threshold - and does not affect prior tax years. The bill does not change existing tax rates for lower income levels, targeting only the highest earners in the state. It is a concrete policy change that increases tax liability for a specific income bracket starting in 2027.
Maddy summarySB 2251 eliminates Rhode Island's estate tax by repealing Chapter 44-22 of the General Laws, which previously imposed taxes on decedents' estates. This bill directly affects Rhode Island residents whose estates would have been subject to state estate tax upon death, removing their obligation to pay this tax. The key mechanism is the complete repeal of the existing estate tax code, including all tax rate brackets (ranging from 2% to 9%) and specific deductions outlined in the repealed chapter. As a result, estates passing through Rhode Island will no longer face state-level taxation on transfers following a death.
Maddy summarySB 2228 modifies Rhode Island's personal income tax code to adjust how social security income is treated for tax purposes. Starting with tax years beginning January 1, 2027, the bill allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income specifically for all social security benefits received by residents. This change directly affects Rhode Island residents who receive Social Security payments, as it alters how those benefits are counted toward their state taxable income. The bill does not change the federal tax treatment of social security benefits but adjusts the state-level calculation. The provision is part of broader tax code amendments but focuses specifically on social security income for state tax computation.
