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State Legislature US Congress
All 25,118 Active 5 In committee 20,549 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2625: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

SB 2625 requires school districts sending students to regional vocational schools for career and technical education (CTE) or pathways programs to receive regular updates from the receiving district. It mandates quarterly reports on student status (or immediate updates for major changes like withdrawal) and adjusts cost-sharing: home districts pay only the actual cost of services provided by the receiving district (not their own higher per-pupil spending), and only the actual transportation cost to the vocational school. This directly affects all Rhode Island school districts participating in CTE or pathways programs outside a student’s home district. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, aiming to clarify financial responsibilities and improve communication between districts.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates reporting and adjusts cost-sharing to reduce financial barriers for vocational education access, improving program sustainability and student pathways in K-12 CTE.85% confidence
Bob Britto (D) Matt LaMountain (D) Mark McKenney (D) David Tikoian (D) Pete Appollonio (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2634: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Provides educators and administrators employed in a charter public school or mayoral academy with prevailing wage and benefits oversight and recourse if found in violation of the same.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates prevailing wage/benefits oversight for charter school educators, protecting their compensation and benefits, directly supporting educators in public schools.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates prevailing wage/benefits oversight for charter school educators, directly protecting compensation rights and providing recourse for violations.95% confidence
Hanna Gallo (D) Sam Bell (D) Jake Bissaillon (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2741: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

Allows retired teachers, state and municipal workers to be employed without the loss of any retirement benefits, as long as they reside in Rhode Island at least 270 days and have an annual income from all sources that is less than $55,000.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects retirement benefits for retired workers returning to employment, preventing loss of benefits under specific conditions (residency/income limits).90% confidence
Sue Sosnowski (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2168: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RETIREMENT OF MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES

Allows any peace officer working in a Rhode Island school as a full or part-time resource officer to work in excess of the 75 working days in a calendar year and not have an interruption in their benefits.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prevents benefit interruption for municipal peace officers working over 75 days, protecting employment benefits and expanding work flexibility without penalty.95% confidence
Jessica de la Cruz (R) Mark McKenney (D) David Tikoian (D) Elaine Morgan (R) Gordon Rogers (R)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2172: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT

Provides for the right to strike for public sector workers in Rhode Island, including teachers, with exceptions for police officers, firefighters, 911 employees, and correctional officers.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides public sector workers (including teachers) right to strike, strengthening collective bargaining rights under Labor Relations Act.95% confidence
Brian Thompson (D) Pete Appollonio (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Sam Bell (D) John Burke (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2319: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

SB 2319 requires all public meetings involving collective bargaining agreements for school teachers to be open to the public. This overrides the standard exception allowing closed meetings for collective bargaining discussions, as specified in Section 1(e) of the bill. The law directly affects public school districts, school committees, and teachers' unions during contract negotiations. It takes effect immediately upon passage, ensuring transparency in school employment negotiations.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates public access to teacher collective bargaining meetings, enhancing transparency in labor negotiations per bill's override of closed-meeting exception.95% confidence
Jessica de la Cruz (R) Ryan Pearson (D) Brian Thompson (D) Thomas Paolino (R) Sam Zurier (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2170: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY -- BENEFITS

SB 2170 would allow workers who are on strike or locked out by their employer during a labor dispute to receive unemployment benefits. This directly affects employees participating in strikes or facing workplace lockouts due to labor disagreements. The bill changes current rules by expanding eligibility for unemployment benefits to cover these specific situations. It aims to provide financial support to workers during active labor disputes, rather than requiring them to exhaust other options first.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands unemployment benefits to striking/locked-out workers, directly protecting their financial security during labor disputes per bill summary.95% confidence
Matt LaMountain (D) Mark McKenney (D) Pete Appollonio (D) Sam Bell (D) John Burke (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2407: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

SB 2407 would extend the maximum term of employment for school superintendents in Rhode Island from three to five years. This change directly affects school committees, which hire and set terms for superintendents, by allowing them to establish longer contracts. The bill amends Section 16-2-9(12) of state education law to update the term limit from three years to five years. The change would take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.
Bob Britto (D) Jonathon Acosta (D) Thomas Paolino (R) Mark McKenney (D) Lou DiPalma (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 8519: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

Provides a definition for "Zero-emission resource" includes nuclear energy resources and large-scale hydro electric facilities and provides that such resources may be used to meet certain clean energy compliance requirements.
Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands the definition of zero-emission resources to include nuclear and hydro, enabling them to meet clean energy compliance requirements.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands the definition of zero-emission resources to include nuclear and hydro, allowing them to meet clean energy compliance, thereby advancing renewable energy goals.85% confidence
Joe Shekarchi (D) Lauren Carson (D)
died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 8490: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE NOREEN DREXEL BIRTHING CENTER FUND

Establishes a fund within the department of health to support the operation and expansion of women’s, maternal, and infant health and birthing services at Newport Hospital.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a fund to support and expand maternal and infant health services at Newport Hospital.95% confidence
Terri Cortvriend (D) Lauren Carson (D) Michelle McGaw (D) Jay Edwards (D)
died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2991: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE BODY CAMERAS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACT -- THE WILLIE WASHINGTON, JR. ACT

This bill requires all Department of Corrections staff in direct supervision roles to wear body cameras while on duty within correctional facilities. The law mandates that cameras be activated during specific interactions such as use of force incidents, transporting individuals, medical emergencies, and disciplinary proceedings, with recordings retained for at least 60 days unless needed for investigations. An independent oversight board will be established to review critical incidents and complaints, while incarcerated individuals will be informed of recording practices and given the right to request footage review. The Department of Corrections must provide staff training on camera use and privacy, submit biannual reports to the General Assembly, and face disciplinary action for non-compliance.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates body cameras for corrections staff to enhance accountability and transparency, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence
Jonathon Acosta (D) Meghan Kallman (D) Bridget Valverde (D) Linda Ujifusa (D) Sam Bell (D)
Showing 217 to 228 of 6,972 bills
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