Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 7957: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS

HB 7957 prohibits government entities from forcing individuals to disclose private keys that control digital assets (like cryptocurrency), digital identities, or other digital rights. It directly affects users of digital assets and online services who rely on private keys for security. The bill’s key provision prevents courts or agencies from compelling the production of these keys, treating them as protected information similar to passwords. As a procedural measure, it does not change existing laws but aims to establish a clear legal barrier against forced disclosure. The bill is currently under review by the House committee.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits government from forcing disclosure of private keys for digital assets, strengthening user data privacy protections per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government Emerging Technology

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 8052: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY--CAUSES OF ACTION

HB 8052 creates a new legal claim for individuals harmed by artificial intelligence systems, allowing them to sue responsible parties in court. It directly affects people injured by AI applications, such as those causing physical harm or financial loss through faulty AI decisions. The bill establishes clear procedures for filing these lawsuits within civil court systems. Currently introduced to the House Judiciary committee (as of February 27, 2026), it has not yet been voted on or passed. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural measure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates legal recourse for AI harm victims, aligning with consumer protection regulations for technology systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 7538: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS NOTIFICATION ACT

HB 7538 requires healthcare providers and facilities to inform patients when artificial intelligence (AI) is used to document their in-person or telehealth visits. It directly affects patients receiving care and all licensed healthcare professionals (including doctors, nurses, and dentists) and healthcare facilities covered under the law. The bill mandates clear notification about AI’s specific role in recording visit details, defining AI broadly to include technologies like natural language processing and machine learning. This law focuses solely on transparency about documentation practices, not on regulating AI's medical decision-making or other uses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates patient notification about AI use in care, protecting informed consent rights and transparency in healthcare documentation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates patient notification when AI documents healthcare visits, enhancing transparency and data privacy protections in AI use.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Artificial Intelligence

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7639: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GENETIC INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT

Requires a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, as defined, to provide a consumer with certain information regarding the company’s policies and procedures regarding use of genetic data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires genetic testing companies to disclose data policies, protecting consumer privacy in healthcare services per patient rights indicators.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates genetic testing companies to disclose data policies, directly protecting consumer data privacy per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2601: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FACILITATING BUSINESS RAPID RESPONSE TO STATE DECLARED DISASTER ACT OF 2024

Incorporates cable, broadband, Internet, and wireless means into the crime of injuring electric and communication lines and authorizes municipalities to grant zoning relief for the protection of critical infrastructure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects broadband/internet/wireless infrastructure by criminalizing damage to it and enabling zoning relief for critical infrastructure, directly advancing technology infrastructure security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 2638: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION ACT OF 2015

Amends the Identity Theft Protection Act by eliminating current definitions and establishing new definitions. This act also raises the penalty provisions for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises penalties for identity theft violations, strengthening enforcement under criminal justice laws per bill's penalty provisions amendment.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthening identity theft penalties directly enhances data privacy protections, a core aspect of technology policy as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 7954: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DIGITAL PLATFORM TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY ACT

HB 7954 requires large social media platforms to disclose how their algorithms prioritize content. It directly affects major platforms with significant user engagement, mandating transparency about algorithmic decision-making. The bill's key provision is a requirement for platforms to explain their content-ranking systems to users and regulators. This aims to increase clarity around how user feeds are curated, without specifying particular content rules or outcomes. The bill is currently under further study in committee.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates algorithm transparency for user clarity, aligning with consumer protection regulations in digital platforms per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7632: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AGE-APPROPRIATE DESIGN CODE

Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires tech companies to prioritize child safety in design, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection regulations for online services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government Online Safety Social Media Tags Children

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7695: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

HB 7695 creates tax exemptions for property, tangible personal property, sales, and use taxes to incentivize the establishment of qualified data centers in Rhode Island. It directly affects developers and operators of data centers that meet specific criteria defined in the bill. The key mechanism is granting these tax exemptions for eligible costs related to constructing or operating qualifying facilities, including equipment and infrastructure. This policy change reduces financial barriers for data center projects by lowering their operational tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax exemptions for data centers, reducing tax burden on qualifying developers per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemptions incentivize data center development, reducing financial barriers for tech infrastructure growth and aligning with promoting digital infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2499: 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 & EmploymentBill regulates AI use in workplace to ensure fair employment practices, protecting workers from biased algorithms and advancing labor rights through statutory framework.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates regulatory framework for AI in workplace to ensure fair employment practices, aligning with digital rights protection under technology policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Artificial Intelligence

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