Labor & Employment

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 2503: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- PEACE OFFICER MAXIMUM WORKDAY AND OVERTIME COMPENSATION

SB 2503 establishes a maximum 8-hour workday for most state peace officers (with a 10-hour limit for correctional officer stewards) to protect their health and safety. The bill prohibits the state from requiring overtime beyond these limits, except in unforeseeable emergencies like riots, and only after the employer makes reasonable efforts to secure volunteer staff. If the state violates this rule, it must pay affected officers double time and a half of their regular hourly wage. The law takes effect upon passage and does not override existing collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes maximum work hours, prohibits forced overtime, and mandates double-time pay for violations, directly protecting peace officers' health/safety and compensation rights under labor standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 8138: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH AND WORKPLACE SAFETY ACT

In effect repeals the provisions of the newly enacted law prohibiting smoking in pari mutual facilities with the exception for businesses operating as a pari mutual facility smoking lounge.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRepeals smoking prohibition in pari mutual facilities, weakening workplace safety regulations for that setting.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2634: 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 mandates prevailing wage/benefits oversight for charter school educators, protecting their compensation and benefits, directly supporting educators in public schools.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates prevailing wage/benefits oversight for charter school educators, directly protecting compensation rights and providing recourse for violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 7637: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Prohibit denial of an opportunity to apply for employment as a law enforcement officer or firefighter solely on the basis of a person's country of citizenship.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits citizenship-based denial for law enforcement/firefighter jobs, advancing civil rights in public safety employment.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits citizenship-based employment denial for law enforcement/firefighter roles, advancing immigrant inclusion in state workforce.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits citizenship-based denial of employment for law enforcement/firefighter roles, advancing equal opportunity in hiring per Labor & Employment rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Tags Public Safety

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7767: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE AND FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Creates a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, considering the interests of employers and employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRegulates AI in workplace to ensure fair employment practices, protecting workers from discriminatory algorithms and advancing workplace fairness95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Tags Artificial Intelligence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HR 8211: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER INITIATIVE

This bill authorizes $10 million in funding for Rhode Island's Community Health Worker Initiative, administered by the Department of Health. It directly affects community health workers and the programs they support across the state. The key provision is a one-time appropriation to expand or sustain these workforce programs, which connect residents with health resources in underserved areas. The bill was introduced to the House Finance Committee on February 27, 2026, and remains pending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $10M to fund community health worker programs, directly increasing public service funding under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $10M for community health worker initiative to expand healthcare access in underserved areas, directly funding and strengthening community health services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds community health workers' program, directly supporting workforce employment and underserved community access through state health initiative.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2739: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION -- PROCEDURE

SB 2739 amends the process for reimbursing workers' compensation costs when a third party (such as another company or individual) is liable for an injury. It changes how employers and insurers handle reimbursements after a third party pays damages to an injured worker. This directly affects injured workers, employers, and insurance providers in cases involving third-party liability. The bill clarifies procedural steps under existing workers' compensation law without altering benefit amounts or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies third-party reimbursement process in workers' comp, ensuring injured workers receive timely compensation without altering benefit amounts, directly protecting worker rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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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 & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prevailing wage requirements and labor harmony plans in PPP contracts, directly advancing worker pay and labor relations protections in state projects.95% confidence

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2626: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SANITATION IN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

Establishes a restricted receipt account at the DLT for hospitality industry workforce training grants, funded by an annual $50 dollar fee to be charged by RIDOH to food service establishments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds hospitality workforce training grants via $50 business fee, advancing employment skills development and industry workforce support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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died · Rhode Island · House May 14, 2026

HB 7689: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM

Amends the Rhode Island works program to allow lawful permanent residents to receive benefits without a waiting period and increases the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows lawful permanent residents immediate access to benefits, increasing financial support without waiting period, directly enhancing immigrant services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases cash benefits to 100% of federal poverty level and removes waiting period for lawful permanent residents, expanding worker benefits under employment standards.95% confidence

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