Technology

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2203: 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 ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency for genetic data use, strengthening consumer privacy protections in genetic testing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7357: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- SENSITIVE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT

HB 7357 creates the "Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act" to protect sensitive health information in Rhode Island. It directly affects residents whose data relates to gender-affirming care or reproductive health, and the healthcare providers or businesses handling that data. The law requires explicit, opt-in consent for collecting such data, prohibits deceptive practices for obtaining consent, and defines protected data to include not only direct health information but also derived data (like location patterns or algorithmic inferences) tied to these services. It explicitly excludes publicly available or de-identified research data from coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient data privacy for reproductive/gender-affirming care, aligning with patient rights and healthcare protection in sensitive health services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects sensitive health data privacy through explicit consent requirements, directly aligning with technology data privacy safeguards in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Data Privacy

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7433: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- SEARCH WARRANTS

HB 7433 requires law enforcement to obtain a person's consent or a valid search warrant before placing audio or video recording devices on their private property. This bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and guests by protecting their privacy from unauthorized surveillance on their premises. The key provision makes any audio or video evidence collected in violation of this rule inadmissible in criminal or civil court proceedings. The bill, currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee, would take effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects privacy rights by requiring warrants for surveillance, making violations inadmissible - enhances police accountability and civil rights in criminal procedure.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects data privacy by requiring warrants for surveillance devices, making unauthorized recordings inadmissible in court, aligning with privacy protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2154: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND DATA PRIVACY ACT

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information and other identifying information of subscribers and customers, except in specified circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates search warrants for electronic data, protecting privacy rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for law enforcement access to electronic data, strengthening privacy protections per bill summary. Directly aligns with support indicators for data privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Data Privacy

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2196: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS

SB 2196 prohibits courts or government entities from forcing individuals to reveal private keys that control access to digital assets (like cryptocurrency), digital identities, or other digital rights. It applies directly to people holding such keys, such as cryptocurrency owners or digital service users. The law allows exceptions only if a public key cannot be used to access the asset or information. This does not prevent legal actions requiring the transfer of the digital asset itself, only the forced disclosure of the private key. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects data privacy by prohibiting forced disclosure of private keys for digital assets, directly advancing digital rights and privacy safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 2129: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE HEALTH DATA PRIVACY ACT

Classifies, research, intent and interest in healthcare services as protected healthcare data. Adds responsibilities for regulated entities that seek to collect and share consumer data including a requirement for specific and conspicuous consumer consent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy for reproductive and gender-affirming care data through mandatory consent requirements, aligning with patient rights protections in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates explicit consent for health data sharing and classifies healthcare data as protected, directly strengthening data privacy protections in technology-related healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2346: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION

SB 2346 creates tax exemptions for property, tangible personal property, sales, and use taxes to incentivize the development of qualified data centers in Rhode Island. It directly affects data center developers and operators who meet the bill's criteria, including those making eligible costs for construction, equipment, and site development. The key provision allows qualifying data center projects to avoid these taxes on specific expenses like land, buildings, equipment, and labor costs related to construction. This policy aims to attract data center investments by reducing development costs for businesses meeting the defined standards. The bill modifies existing law governing the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to implement these tax incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemptions for data center developers, providing targeted tax relief as a fiscal policy action within Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemptions incentivize data center development, directly supporting technology infrastructure investment and attracting tech industry growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7208: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND DATA PRIVACY ACT

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information and other identifying information of subscribers and customers, except in specified circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to obtain warrants for electronic data, protecting privacy rights and enhancing accountability in criminal procedure.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for law enforcement access to electronic data, strengthening privacy protections per bill's core mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2406: 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 TechnologyBill mandates tech companies to prioritize children's best interests in design, protecting digital rights and privacy through regulatory requirements for child-safe online services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 7333: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT AND INVESTMENT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND BROADBAND OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2026

HB 7333 creates the Rhode Island Broadband Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026 to remove legal barriers preventing state oversight of broadband services. It repeals a prior law that effectively banned Rhode Island from monitoring or regulating broadband performance, requiring the Commerce Corporation to develop a broadband office plan. This office would map coverage, monitor service quality, identify unserved areas, coordinate federal broadband funds (like BEAD), and ensure transparent reporting. The bill directly affects all Rhode Island residents and businesses relying on broadband for essential services like healthcare, education, and government access. It establishes concrete mechanisms for managing public broadband investments and meeting federal requirements for ongoing performance tracking.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes broadband oversight to map coverage, monitor service quality, identify unserved areas, and coordinate federal funds for expanded internet access and infrastructure deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

Track