Rhode Island Bills

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7585: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

HB 7585 expands eligibility for the state's crime victim compensation program to include hit-and-run victims who suffer serious bodily injury. The bill amends the existing law to explicitly add "failure to stop by a driver in circumstances which result in serious bodily injury or death" as a qualifying offense under the program. This change directly affects victims of hit-and-run collisions where the driver flees the scene and causes serious injury, allowing them to seek financial compensation through the current program. The policy change modifies the list of qualifying offenses without creating new funding or altering program administration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7649: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- UNIFORM ACT ON PREVENTION OF AND REMEDIES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Requires that all monies received from the payment of fines under the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking be deposited into the into the violent crimes indemnity account within the general fund.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7674: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

HB 7674 defines public-private partnerships (PPPs) for state property and construction projects, establishing rules for state agencies to use them when they offer "value for money." It requires agencies to evaluate PPPs using cost, quality, and performance comparisons, and mandates that all PPP contracts include prevailing wage requirements, labor harmony plans, and value analysis by experts. The bill directs the chief purchasing officer to create implementation rules by July 2027, consulting with contractors, labor groups, and design professionals. It directly affects state agencies, private contractors, and workers by setting standards for how PPPs are solicited, awarded, and overseen for projects like infrastructure and public buildings.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7568: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

HB 7568 allows cities or towns to waive interest on overdue property tax payments for commercial or residential properties, but only under strict conditions. To qualify, property owners must have owned the property for five years, made all tax payments on time for five years, submit a written request, and have the overdue bill issued within two years. The waiver covers interest only (not the tax amount itself), with a maximum reduction of $500 per request. Local governments must create ordinances to implement this, and decisions must be documented with a notice to the city council. The bill does not change tax rates or obligations but provides limited relief for late payments meeting specific criteria.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7507: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- JUDGMENTS, ORDERS, AND DECREES

HB 7507 requires judgment creditors to send written notice to property owners within 10 business days of recording a lien on real property. The notice must include the creditor's contact details, judgment amount, property description, and instructions for resolving or disputing the lien, sent by certified mail to the owner's last known address. Failure to provide this notice does not invalidate the lien but may delay enforcement deadlines until the notice is sent. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and directly affects property owners who may face liens on their real estate.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7513: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- REAL ESTATE SALES DISCLOSURES

HB 7513 requires radon testing for most residential real estate transactions starting on June 1, 2027, to ensure buyers are informed about radioactive gas levels in homes. The law mandates that a certified professional conduct the test no earlier than one year before closing and share the results with both the buyer and seller. If the test shows unsafe radon levels, the seller must install a mitigation system before the sale is finalized, or the cost must be held in escrow until the work is done. Certain situations, such as foreclosures, sales of non-residential property, or homes with a recent mitigation system, are exempt from these testing requirements.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7778: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Amends the current law on low-income housing to include moderate-income housing and eliminates the income percentages used to determine qualifications for low or moderate income housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7753: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISARMING A PEACE OFFICER

Makes it a felony for any person to remove or attempt to remove any firearm or other weapon or any communication device from any peace officer or investigator of the department of attorney general.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7740: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

HB 7740 clarifies the rules for when registered nurses and nurse practitioners can administer deep sedation or general anesthesia, specifically limiting these actions to emergency situations where delaying care would endanger a patient's health. The bill explicitly prohibits these providers from using general anesthetics for elective, scheduled procedures unless an urgent need arises, while still allowing them to perform minimal or moderate sedation as usual. To enforce these limits, the law requires that any nurse or nurse practitioner who is not a certified registered nurse anesthetist must not initiate, adjust, or maintain general anesthetic medications outside of critical care scenarios. Additionally, the bill mandates that hospitals report specific serious incidents, such as unplanned transitions to deep sedation that result in severe patient outcomes, to the Department of Health within 24 hours.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2601: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FACILITATING BUSINESS RAPID RESPONSE TO STATE DECLARED DISASTER ACT OF 2024

Incorporates cable, broadband, Internet, and wireless means into the crime of injuring electric and communication lines and authorizes municipalities to grant zoning relief for the protection of critical infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2491: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARIES FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

SB 2491 changes the date for selecting delegates to national political conventions and presidential preference primaries from the fourth Tuesday in April to the first Tuesday in March, starting in 2028. This affects voters in this state who participate in presidential primaries and the state election administration. The bill specifically amends the law to set the new date for 2028 and all subsequent presidential election years, while keeping the 2024 primary on April 2, 2024. The change takes effect upon passage and does not alter other primary procedures.

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7857: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EXHAUST SYSTEM INSPECTION AND CLEANING, LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACT

Establishes the commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection and cleaning licensing and certification act. Requires entities inspecting or cleaning commercial exhaust systems to be licensed and insured.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results