Labor & Employment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7857: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EXHAUST SYSTEM INSPECTION AND CLEANING, LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACT

Establishes the commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection and cleaning licensing and certification act. Requires entities inspecting or cleaning commercial exhaust systems to be licensed and insured.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires licensing/certification for kitchen exhaust system inspections, enhancing workplace safety standards for commercial kitchen workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 7968: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE -- GENERAL PROVISIONS

Expands the benefit definitions to include a grandchild and care recipient and increases benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and 12 weeks for 2028 and provides a TDI/TCI opt-in option for self-employed workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands disability benefits to include care recipients, extends benefit period to 10-12 weeks, and adds self-employed opt-in - clearly strengthens worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7820: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

HB 7820 allows individuals convicted of crimes 40 or more years ago to petition courts to clear their criminal records, provided they have no recent charges or convictions and have paid all court fees. The bill creates a new eligibility window (40 years post-conviction) for expungement, excluding violent crimes like murder, sexual assault, and certain robberies or child abuse offenses. This change directly affects older individuals with clean records for decades, removing barriers to employment and housing while requiring court approval based on rehabilitation and public safety considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of non-violent old records to remove employment barriers, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes criminal record barriers for older individuals, directly aiding employment access and worker reintegration per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7770: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES

Increases the minimum hourly wage commencing January 1, 2029, by an amount equal to the total percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Northeast Region for the calendar year 2027.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates automatic minimum wage increases tied to CPI-U inflation, directly advancing worker compensation standards per Labor & Employment indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 7802: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Adds probation officer and parole officer to the list of public safety employees that are entitled to their full salary if they are injured and become disabled as a result of performance of their job duties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state budget for public safety salaries, increasing government spending on essential personnel through mandatory full salary coverage for injured officers.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds probation/parole officers to public safety employee salary protection, supporting law enforcement personnel welfare within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands full salary protection to probation/parole officers injured on duty, strengthening income security for public safety workers under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Tags Public Safety

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 7966: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE EXTREME TEMPERATURE WORKER PROTECTION ACT

Requires employers to protect workers from extreme heat and cold by implementing safety plans, providing paid rest breaks, shade or warmth, drinking water, and protective equipment, ensuring training, and recordkeeping.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer safety plans, paid breaks, shade/warmth, water, and training for extreme temperatures, directly strengthening workplace safety protections for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7962: 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 & EmploymentRemoves sunset clause on expanded partial-unemployment benefits, ensuring continued access to higher payments for workers without disqualification.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7696: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP TAX CREDIT

HB 7696 establishes a tax credit for Rhode Island businesses transitioning to employee ownership structures. It provides up to 50% of eligible conversion costs (capped at $100,000 for worker-owned co-ops or employee ownership trusts, $25,000 for alternate structures) and up to 50% of expansion costs (capped at $25,000) for qualified businesses expanding existing employee ownership models. The credit applies to income tax years 2026-2028 for businesses converting to or expanding employee ownership trusts, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), worker-owned cooperatives, or defined "alternate equity structures" that meet specific participation and allocation requirements. This directly affects qualifying businesses seeking to shift ownership to employees while retaining community investment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for employee ownership transitions, reducing business tax liability (tax relief) under state taxation policy.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill incentivizes employee ownership structures via tax credits, directly advancing worker control and benefits through ownership models, aligning with labor rights strengthening.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2623: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- ORGAN-DONATION LEAVE ACT

Provides for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ and duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid leave for organ donation, expanding state employee benefits and workplace flexibility under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Public Employees

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7594: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX

HB 7594 increases Rhode Island's earned-income tax credit (EITC) rate to 30% for tax years beginning in 2027 and later. This change directly benefits low-to-moderate income workers who qualify for the EITC, providing them with a larger refundable tax credit. The bill amends the state's tax code to adjust the credit percentage while maintaining the existing eligibility rules for qualifying individuals and families. This is a concrete policy change that will increase tax refunds for eligible working residents starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases EITC rate to 30% for low-to-moderate income workers, providing direct tax relief and larger refunds per tax code amendment.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases EITC rate to 30% for low-to-moderate income workers, directly expanding tax refunds and financial support for qualifying employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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