HB 5505 Rhode Island House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS BY CONTRACTORS

This bill requires contractors working on public projects (like school transportation or public building construction) to provide actual healthcare and retirement benefits to employees working more than 90 days, rather than paying cash equivalents. Starting July 2024, contractors cannot give workers cash instead of purchasing healthcare coverage from a licensed provider, and starting July 2025, they cannot offer cash for retirement benefits (except for short-term workers under 90 days). Contractors must provide proof of coverage to employees and their bargaining agents. The law aims to ensure workers receive tangible benefits, with violations subject to $1,000-$3,000 civil penalties per violation.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Signed Jun 17, 2025
Floor votes · House May 15, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Jun 17, 2025
Signed into law
06/17/2025 Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
06/12/2025 Senate passed in concurrence
upper
Jun 2, 2025
Legislature · Passed
06/02/2025 Committee recommends passage in concurrence
legislature
May 30, 2025
Committee
05/30/2025 Referred to Senate Labor and Gaming
upper
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
05/15/2025 House read and passed
lower
May 6, 2025
Legislature · Passed
05/06/2025 Committee recommends passage
legislature
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
03/05/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
02/13/2025 Introduced, referred to House Labor
lower
5 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors