Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3297: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SB 3297 amends the state workers' compensation law to clarify definitions and expand the authority of the workers' compensation court. The bill updates how "earnings capacity" is calculated for injured workers, specifying that courts can consider an employee's ability to work based on their functional impairment without requiring the employer to identify specific job offers. It also clarifies who qualifies as an "employee" and "employer," including state agencies and contractors, while explicitly excluding independent contractors, sole proprietors, and corporate officers. Additionally, the legislation grants the court broader powers to enforce its orders and manage disputes regarding liability, disability status, and medical causation for cases filed after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies definitions and expands court authority to protect injured workers' earnings capacity and benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 8524: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION--GENERAL PROVISIONS

This bill updates the definitions used in Rhode Island's workers' compensation system, specifically clarifying who counts as an "employee" and "employer" for legal purposes. It expands the workers' compensation court's authority to manage cases for state employees and airport workers starting in July 2025, allowing the court to decide on issues like disability status and suitable job offers. The legislation also refines how "earnings capacity" is calculated, establishing rules for when an injured worker is presumed to have regained their ability to earn money, such as after successfully working light duty for at least 13 weeks. Additionally, it clarifies that corporate officers who were previously employees generally remain covered under the act unless specific waiver procedures are followed.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands workers' compensation court authority and clarifies employee definitions, strengthening protections for state and airport workers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 7960: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES

Eliminates prescribed timelines for hearing and determination in certain enforcement actions before the department labor and training to align with reasonable practice.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves fixed timelines for wage enforcement, potentially delaying worker compensation and weakening enforcement efficiency.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2107: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT

Establishes the healthcare worker platform and would require platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the department of health by June 1, 2027, while, specifically, exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts healthcare platforms from nursing service agency classification, avoiding labor regulations that would protect workers' rights and safety standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7030: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT

Establishes the healthcare worker platform and would require platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the department of health by June 1, 2027, while, specifically, exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare platforms to register with health department while exempting from nursing agency classification, facilitating worker placement and improving access to healthcare services.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts healthcare platforms from nursing service agency classification, avoiding labor regulations that protect workers' safety and rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2342: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RESTRICTIONS ON SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT STATIONS ACT

Places limits on the number of self-service checkout stations a grocery store can have and on the workload of employees assigned to monitor those checkout stations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts self-checkout stations and limits employee monitoring workload, protecting workers from excessive duties and potential job displacement per bill's explicit labor relations focus.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7290: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RESTRICTIONS ON SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT STATIONS ACT

Places limits on the number of self-service checkout stations a grocery store can have and on the workload of employees assigned to monitor those checkout stations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestricts self-checkout stations and limits employee workload, protecting workers from excessive monitoring demands and promoting workplace safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 7149: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Requires that before any fire fighter or police officer is eligible to receive benefits for illness or injury sustained off duty, they prove they had reasonable grounds to believe that an emergency existed that required immediate need of their assistance.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentAdds eligibility barrier for first responder benefits, requiring proof of emergency before receiving compensation, restricting access to worker protections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2326: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Requires that before any fire fighter or police officer is eligible to receive benefits for illness or injury sustained off duty, they prove they had reasonable grounds to believe that an emergency existed that required immediate need of their assistance.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRequires proof of emergency before benefits, restricting access to worker protections for first responders.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment