Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8331: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- THE TRADES WORKER JUSTICE AND SAFETY ACT

Establishes the trades worker justice and safety act to help provide workers with a workplace free from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, bullying, abuse and retaliation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes protections against harassment, discrimination, intimidation, bullying, abuse and retaliation in workplaces, directly advancing worker rights and safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2921: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

This bill expands the definition of "employee" under Rhode Island's Fair Employment Practices law to include individuals working in domestic service, such as nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers employed by private households. By making this change, the bill ensures that domestic workers are protected against discrimination based on age, sex, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in the same way as other employees. The legislation applies to employers who hire four or more individuals, though it maintains existing exemptions for religious organizations and their employees. This update removes the previous exclusion of domestic workers from state anti-discrimination protections, bringing them under the same legal framework as other workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands employee protections to domestic workers, strengthening anti-discrimination coverage and advancing labor rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2925: 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 protects firefighters' collective bargaining agreements until new agreements or arbitration are reached, strengthening labor relations and worker protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2809: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP TAX CREDIT

This bill creates a tax credit for businesses in Rhode Island that transition to employee ownership models, such as employee stock ownership plans, worker cooperatives, or employee ownership trusts. The credit covers up to 50% of conversion costs, with a maximum of $100,000 for full employee ownership transitions or $25,000 for partial equity structures, and allows an additional $25,000 credit for expanding existing employee ownership programs. To qualify, businesses must grant at least 20% ownership rights to eligible workers and provide them with decision-making rights comparable to current shareholders. The tax credit applies to income tax years between January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2029, and requires businesses to apply through the state Department of Revenue for certification.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credits for businesses transitioning to employee ownership, providing fiscal incentives that promote economic development and workforce stability while generating revenue through tax credits.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax incentives for businesses transitioning to employee ownership models, strengthening worker equity and ownership rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Professional Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2927: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

This bill expands temporary disability insurance coverage in Rhode Island to include state employees, effective January 1, 2027. The legislation amends existing state laws to define state workers as eligible employees under the temporary disability insurance program, allowing them to receive benefits when unable to work due to sickness. Key provisions update definitions for terms like "employee" and "employment" to explicitly include service performed for the State of Rhode Island across all departments and agencies. The bill also clarifies how benefit calculations are determined for various groups, including military service members who return to civilian state employment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands temporary disability insurance coverage to state employees, strengthening worker benefits and protecting workers' rights during illness.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2932: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES

Makes construction contractors civilly liable and/or jointly civilly liable for any claims of wage theft or nonpayment from an employee against the contractor, its subcontractors and any subcontractor.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill makes contractors civilly liable for wage theft claims, strengthening worker protections and ensuring payment of wages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2929: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

Eliminates the "until June 30, 2026" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes a sunset provision that would have reduced unemployment benefits, thereby protecting worker benefits and expanding financial support for unemployed workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8248: 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 establishes prevailing wage and benefits oversight for charter school educators, protecting teacher compensation and benefits.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes prevailing wage and benefits oversight for charter school educators, protecting worker compensation standards and benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2919: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- STATE PURCHASES

This bill requires state and municipal public works projects involving glazing work to hire certified workers from North American Contractor Certification companies and increase the number of certified architectural glass and metal technicians on site over time. Projects over one million dollars for renovations or five million dollars for new construction must employ at least one certified worker starting July 1, 2024, with the requirement growing to 25% of the crew by January 2026 and 50% by January 2027. The Department of Labor and Training is responsible for enforcing these rules, conducting hearings for violations, and imposing penalties of up to $3,000 or license revocation for intentional or egregious noncompliance. The law defines glazing work to include windows, curtain walls, glass partitions, and other architectural glass installations across all public entities including schools and municipalities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates hiring certified workers and increases requirement for certified architectural glass and metal technicians on public works projects, strengthening worker qualifications and employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 2928: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- HEALTHY AND SAFE FAMILIES AND WORKPLACES ACT

Requires employers to provide full-time employees four (4) hours of paid leave once a year to donate blood through and any approved blood donation program.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates paid blood donation leave for full-time employees, expanding worker benefits and protecting employee health rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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