Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 7121: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKPLACE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY ACT

Prohibits psychological abuse in the workplace by employers or co-workers, ensuring a safe environment for employees, provides protection, civil remedies, and penalties for employers based on revenue.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits psychological abuse, mandates workplace safety protections, and provides civil remedies - directly advancing worker safety and rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 7055: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

HB 7055 changes how longevity payments (extra pay for years of service) are handled for certain state employees in Rhode Island. Starting July 1, 2026, non-classified state employees under grade 19 (excluding faculty) will be able to negotiate these payments through collective bargaining agreements, reversing a 2011 ban. The bill specifies payments cannot be counted toward base salary and clarifies rules for employees with existing agreements. It applies to employees of the Board of Governors for Higher Education, Board of Regents for Elementary/Secondary Education, and other state departments. This is a policy change to allow future negotiations, not a new benefit.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReverses 2011 ban on collective bargaining for longevity payments, enabling employee negotiations over additional pay, strengthening labor rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2320: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Requires employers to protect employees from extreme temperatures through rest breaks, PPE, training, and equipment, and mandates quarterly supervisor training, to recognize and mitigate heat- and cold-related risks.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer protections for extreme temperatures including rest breaks, PPE, and supervisor training to prevent heat/cold injuries, directly strengthening workplace safety standards for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2089: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTION AND BENEFITS

SB 2089 amends retirement rules to allow certain retired public employees to work without losing their retirement benefits. Specifically, it permits paid members of the Rhode Island state labor relations board to continue receiving benefits while working, removing an automatic suspension that previously applied to post-retirement employment. The bill also establishes clear limits for other roles (like municipal work under 75 days/year or part-time teaching) where benefits remain intact, though no additional service credits or contributions are granted. It directly affects retired state employees in designated positions who wish to return to limited, defined roles. The change clarifies existing law rather than creating new benefits or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves automatic suspension of retirement benefits for retired public employees working, expanding post-retirement employment options without financial penalty.92% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7042: 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 & EmploymentGrants public sector workers including teachers the right to strike, strengthening collective bargaining rights under Labor Relations Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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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

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7041: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FIREFIGHTERS' ARBITRATION

Provides that all contractual provisions in a firefighters collective bargaining agreement continue until a successor agreement has been reached or an interest arbitration award has been rendered.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures firefighters' existing contract terms remain in effect during negotiations/arbitration, directly supporting collective bargaining continuity and worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2245: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Mandates public schools (K-12) have one full-time certified social worker for every 250 students and allocates $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for school districts and municipalities to hire additional social workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M in FY2025 budget to fund school social workers, directly advancing public education spending as an essential service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M for school social workers, mandating 1:250 staffing ratio to enhance student support and educational access in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $2M to hire social workers (1:250 student ratio), directly creating jobs and establishing employment standards in education, aligning with employment expansion indicators.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax K-12 Education Student Health

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2174: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT--NO LIMITATION ON HEALTHCARE BENEFIT PROVIDERS

Repeals the law that prevents a collective bargaining agreement covering state employees, public school teachers and municipal employees from specifying a particular healthcare provider in it.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals restriction preventing collective bargaining agreements from specifying healthcare providers, enabling employee choice and expanding access to preferred providers.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepeals restriction preventing collective bargaining agreements from specifying healthcare providers, strengthening workers' ability to negotiate healthcare benefits through labor agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 7255: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS

HB 7255 adds two specific state correctional roles - administrator of community confinement and home confinement coordinator - to the state retirement system. This change directly affects employees in these positions by making them eligible for retirement benefits under the existing system. The bill amends the retirement law to explicitly include these titles in the list of covered positions within the Department of Corrections. It does not alter retirement age requirements or benefit calculations for existing members. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds correctional roles to retirement system, expanding eligibility for retirement benefits under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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