Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 8350: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

Clarifies the right of the public to have access to bulk electronic data processing records, compilations of electronic court records, including the Rhode Island adult criminal database and the Rhode Island traffic tribunal database extract.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill clarifies public access to electronic court records and databases, promoting transparency and digital rights in government data.65% confidence

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passed · Rhode Island · House May 1, 2026

HB 8282: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- NOMINATION OF PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

This bill updates election nomination procedures by establishing an online portal where voters can electronically sign nomination papers for party and independent candidates. The legislation modifies existing state laws to allow digital signatures to count toward the required number of endorsements needed to qualify a candidate for the ballot. It applies to candidates for various offices, including governor, state representatives, and local positions, while maintaining the same signature thresholds as traditional paper forms. The bill also clarifies rules for how nomination papers are prepared, distributed, and verified, including provisions for candidates who cannot write their own signatures. These changes aim to modernize the nomination process while keeping the core requirements for candidate qualification intact.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes online portal for electronic signatures in elections, advancing digital access and modernizing nomination procedures through technology adoption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2992: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE DATA PRIVACY ACT

This bill establishes the Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act to protect personal health information related to reproductive and gender-affirming care from unauthorized collection and use. It defines specific categories of protected data, including gender-affirming care information and reproductive health details, and sets strict rules for how companies and organizations can collect, process, and share this information. The law requires clear, informed consent from individuals before their sensitive health data can be gathered, prohibits deceptive design practices that might trick users into sharing information, and restricts the use of broad terms of service agreements to obtain permission for data collection. The legislation primarily affects businesses and entities that handle consumer health data in Rhode Island, requiring them to implement specific privacy safeguards and obtain explicit authorization before processing sensitive reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare records.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient privacy rights for reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare data, strengthening patient protections and supporting access to these services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections for sensitive health information, regulating how companies collect and share personal data.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Data Privacy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2801: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACT

This bill creates a statewide automated permitting system to speed up the approval process for residential solar energy installations in Rhode Island. It requires the state to develop an online platform that automatically checks applications for code compliance and issues permits instantly without manual review for eligible systems up to 25 kilowatts. Municipalities must accept these automated permits or provide equivalent systems, while also establishing a centralized online repository of local solar regulations and offering remote inspection options by 2027. The system is designed to reduce paperwork requirements, eliminate unnecessary stamped drawings for smaller systems, and allow electronic submissions and signatures throughout the permitting process.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates automated permitting for residential solar installations, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing barriers to solar adoption.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates automated permitting system and online platform for solar installations, advancing technology infrastructure and digital processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Social Media

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 3117: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT

Provides that original equipment manufacturers, implemented by/with surrogate distributors, of agricultural equipment, provide to independent service providers repair information and tools to maintain and repair electronics-enabled agricultural equipment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital rights by enabling independent repair of electronics-enabled agricultural equipment, enhancing consumer access to technology maintenance and repair information.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 3003: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS

This bill allows members of the public to submit testimony remotely during meetings of the General Assembly committees through electronic means such as telephone or video conferencing. The legislation requires that remote participants be clearly audible and visible to those present in person, maintains a quorum requirement, and mandates public notice when videoconferencing is used to include instructions for accessing virtual meetings. Additionally, the bill updates existing open meeting laws to clarify rules for electronic communication use by public body members, including provisions for military personnel and individuals with disabilities. The changes apply specifically to legislative committees and do not alter other aspects of Rhode Island's open meetings law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables remote public participation in government meetings via technology, expanding digital access and modernizing communication methods.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7936: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT

Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes data privacy protections for public health information, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes data privacy protections for public health data, directly aligning with technology policy on data privacy regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8058: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- COMPUTER CRIME

Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers burden of proof for cyberstalking convictions, expanding criminalization without reform benefits or defendant protections.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill lowers burden of proof for cyberstalking convictions, strengthening online safety protections under digital rights framework.90% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2570: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS NOTIFICATION ACT

SB 2570 requires healthcare providers and facilities to inform patients when artificial intelligence (AI) is used to document in-person or telehealth visits. It applies to all licensed healthcare professionals (like doctors, nurses, and dentists) and facilities that use AI for this specific purpose - recording visit details, not for making medical decisions. The law mandates clear notification to patients before or during their visit, defining AI broadly to include technologies like language models and machine learning systems. This notification requirement takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires patient notification when AI documents visits, enhancing transparency and protecting patient rights in healthcare documentation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates patient notification when AI documents healthcare visits, enhancing data privacy transparency per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Artificial Intelligence

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2428: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

SB 2428 prohibits retailers in Rhode Island from using dynamic or surveillance pricing practices - where prices change based on consumer data or behavior - to sell goods or services to individual consumers. It directly affects retailers (including online sellers) operating within the state, requiring them to set fixed prices rather than algorithmically adjusted ones. The bill defines "price" broadly to include all costs and fees, and aligns with existing deceptive trade practices laws by banning tactics that mislead consumers about pricing. This law takes effect on January 1, 2026, and expires on March 31, 2026, pending further legislative action.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits algorithmic pricing using consumer data, aligning with deceptive trade practices to protect consumers from data-driven price discrimination.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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