Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 2446: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS

SB 2446 adds probation and parole officers to the list of state law enforcement professionals eligible for retirement benefits under Rhode Island's retirement system. This change, effective January 1, 2027, ensures these officers receive the same retirement benefits as existing groups like deputy sheriffs and firefighters. The bill amends specific retirement statutes to include probation and parole officers in the defined category of eligible employees. Service credits earned before 2027 will follow the retirement rules in place before the change.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits for probation/parole officers, aligning them with law enforcement groups like firefighters, directly strengthening employment benefits for this workforce.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 7497: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

HB 7497 provides state agencies with a specific definition of antisemitism - adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2016 - to evaluate potential discrimination cases. The bill requires state agencies to use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or determining violations of anti-discrimination laws, including those based on religion or country of origin. It also mandates that state personnel use this definition in anti-bias training and ensures the law does not infringe on First Amendment rights or conflict with existing federal or state discrimination laws. The bill applies directly to state government operations, not private individuals or businesses. It takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates IHRA antisemitism definition for anti-discrimination enforcement in employment (religion/country of origin), strengthening fair employment practice implementation.85% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7570: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND CENTER FOR EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP

HB 7570 establishes the Rhode Island Center for Employee Ownership (RICEO) to help small businesses transition to employee-owned models. The center, housed under the state’s business development office, provides referrals to legal/financial resources, partners with organizations to promote employee ownership benefits, and creates an inventory of existing employee-owned businesses (like worker cooperatives and ESOPs). It directly affects small business owners nearing retirement (56% are 55+ in RI) and their employees by offering support for succession planning. Key mechanisms include technical assistance, outreach programming, and measuring business stability outcomes. The bill does not create new taxes or regulations but coordinates state resources to address small business succession challenges.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes RICEO to promote employee ownership models (cooperatives, ESOPs), empowering workers through ownership stakes and business transitions, directly advancing worker economic participation.95% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7684: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS

Includes the deputy chief of inspection and inspector within the provision of law related to retirement on service allowance relating to correctional officers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits coverage for correctional officers' deputies and inspectors, enhancing employment benefits under retirement system provisions.85% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 7964: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- THE RHODE ISLAND OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP ACT

Establishes an opportunity for employee ownership where the owner notifies all current full-time and part-time employees and provides them with a 30-day window in which to initiate a process to potentially purchase the business as a workers' cooperative.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables employee ownership via cooperative purchase, strengthening worker control over business operations and rights per bill's intent.95% confidence

Track

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

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 7393: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- RHODE ISLAND CHILDCARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT

HB 7393, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," expands eligibility for childcare assistance to families with incomes at or below 85% of the state median income, aligning with federal guidelines. This change directly affects low-income families with children under 12 who need childcare to work, attend job training, or enroll in college. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to provide free childcare for families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and a sliding fee scale (capping at 7% of income) for others. It also maintains a $1 million liquid assets limit for eligibility and emphasizes meeting federal "equal access" standards for childcare rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded childcare assistance for low-income families, requiring DHS to cover costs - increases public service funding per bill's mandates.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands childcare access for low-income families, enabling parents to enroll in college/job training - directly supports educational access as defined in the topic.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands childcare assistance for low-income families to work, attend job training, or college, directly enabling workforce participation and supporting employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education Workforce Development

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SR 2120: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY SAFE STAFFING RATIOS IN HOSPITALS

Creates a 15 member commission to study and provide recommendations for safe staffing ratios in hospitals, who would report back to the General Assembly by March 31, 2027, and would expire on June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStudies hospital staffing ratios to improve patient safety and care quality, aligning with healthcare protection goals without immediate funding or restrictions.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStudies safe hospital staffing ratios to improve workplace safety for healthcare workers, aligning with labor protections and workplace safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 2126: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM

Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves compliance barriers for childcare assistance, facilitating workforce participation by eliminating mandatory paternity/child support conditions for eligibility.85% confidence

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SR 2258: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY SAFE STAFFING RATIOS IN HOSPITALS

Creates a 15-member joint commission to study and provide recommendations regarding safe staffing ratios in hospitals, and who would report back to the General Assembly by September 1, 2027, and expire on January 30, 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates commission to study hospital staffing ratios, aiming to improve patient safety and care quality through evidence-based recommendations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates commission to study hospital safe staffing ratios, directly addressing workplace safety for healthcare workers and aligning with labor protection indicators.95% confidence