HB 7938 Rhode Island House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REGISTRATION OF NURSING ASSISTANTS -- QUALIFYING LANGUAGE

HB 7938 requires the state department of health to administer the licensing exam for certified nursing assistants in both English and Spanish. This directly affects nursing assistants seeking licensure, particularly Spanish-speaking applicants, by improving access to the exam. The bill mandates that the exam be offered in both languages without changing the content or requirements for passing. It takes effect upon passage and does not alter other provisions like fee structures or exemptions.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2026 Last action Jun 9, 2026
Floor votes · House Jun 9, 2026

How they voted

690
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 74
Jun 9, 2026
D Democratic63
59 Yea 4
93% Yea
I Independent1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican10
9 Yea 1
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Jun 9, 2026
Committee
06/09/2026 Referred to Senate Health and Human Services
upper
Jun 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
06/09/2026 House read and passed
lower
Jun 8, 2026
Legislature · Passed
06/08/2026 Committee recommends passage
legislature
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
04/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Feb 27, 2026
Introduced
02/27/2026 Introduced, referred to House Health & Human Services
lower
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors