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.
In plain English Requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to provide consumers information about their policies on genetic data use.
Official synopsis: 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.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-19
Prohibits an insurance company from imposing any cost-sharing requirements for any diagnostic or supplemental breast examinations.
In plain English Prohibits insurance companies from charging patients any out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic or supplemental breast examinations.
Official synopsis: INSURANCE — ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES – Prohibits an insurance company from imposing any cost-sharing requirements for any diagnostic or supplemental breast examinations.
Passed one chamberSenate read and passed · 2026-06-10
Creates the Crook Point Bridge Authority for the purpose of maintain the Crook Point Bascule Bridge and any property related thereto.
In plain English Creates the Crook Point Bridge Authority to maintain the Crook Point Bascule Bridge and related property.
Official synopsis: HIGHWAYS — CROOK POINT BRIDGE AUTHORITY ACT – Creates the Crook Point Bridge Authority for the purpose of maintain the Crook Point Bascule Bridge and any property related thereto.
Became lawSigned by Governor · 2026-06-05
Requires individuals seeking a judicial nomination to reapply to JNC every 3 years and make those individuals selected as finalists, eligible only for the court in which they applied and were chosen during the five years following their selection.
In plain English Requires judicial candidates to reapply every three years and limits finalists to appointments in their applied court for five years.
Official synopsis: COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — COURTS — JUDICIAL SELECTION – Requires individuals seeking a judicial nomination to reapply to JNC every 3 years and make those individuals selected as finalists, eligible only for the court in which they applied and were chosen during the five…
Passed one chamberReferred to House Judiciary · 2026-06-04
SENATE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POTENTIAL CHANGES IN LEGISLATION/OVERSIGHT OF THE ACT ON CLIMATE (Extends reporting and expiration dates of special legislative commission to study and provides recommendations for potential changes in legislation/oversight of Act on Climate from May 1, 2026, to May 1, 2027, and said commission expires on June 1, 2027.)
Became lawSenate read and passed · 2026-06-03
SENATE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POTENTIAL CHANGES IN LEGISLATION/OVERSIGHT OF THE ACT ON CLIMATE (Extends reporting and expiration dates of special legislative commission to study and provides recommendations for potential changes in legislation/oversight of Act on Climate from 5/1/2026, to 10/1/2026, and said commission expires on 11/1/2026.)
Became lawSenate read and passed · 2026-05-26
Allows advisory bodies to participate in a public meeting using videoconferencing, subject to certain requirements.
In plain English Allows advisory bodies to hold public meetings where members participate by videoconference, subject to certain requirements.
Official synopsis: STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — OPEN MEETINGS – Allows advisory bodies to participate in a public meeting using videoconferencing, subject to certain requirements.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-26
Allows for the issuance of a Class B or Class BV liquor license for the property located at 186 Wayland Avenue in the city of Providence.
In plain English Allows a Class B or Class BV liquor license to be issued for 186 Wayland Avenue in Providence.
Official synopsis: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — RETAIL LICENSES – Allows for the issuance of a Class B or Class BV liquor license for the property located at 186 Wayland Avenue in the city of Providence.
Became lawEffective without Governor's signature · 2026-05-22
Allows a different minimum salary schedule for Providence public school teachers and provides a process for the dismissal and demotion of teachers. The reconstitution and control of the Providence public schools would terminate on June 30, 2026.
In plain English Allows Providence public school teachers to have a different minimum salary schedule and creates a process for dismissing or demoting teachers.
Official synopsis: EDUCATION — FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT – Allows a different minimum salary schedule for Providence public school teachers and provides a process for the dismissal and demotion of teachers. The reconstitution and control of the Providence public schools would terminate on June 30, 2026.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-20
Includes menthol as a flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system product.
TAXATION — CIGARETTE, OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC NICOTINE-DELIVERY SYSTEM PRODUCTS – Includes menthol as a flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system product.
Not out of committeeCommittee heard · 2026-05-12
Directs the department of elementary and secondary education to provide a two-year pilot program that coordinates a national cultural exchange program for students of this state.
In plain English Directs the education department to run a two-year pilot program coordinating a national cultural exchange program for state students.
Official synopsis: EDUCATION — STUDENT CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM – Directs the department of elementary and secondary education to provide a two-year pilot program that coordinates a national cultural exchange program for students of this state.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-05-06
Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.
In plain English Requires the department of administration to commission an independent audit of the transportation department's efficiency and performance.
Official synopsis: STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE AUDIT ACT – Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-09
Establishes statewide standards governing electric meter reading and billing practices.
In plain English Establishes statewide standards for how electric utilities must read meters and bill customers.
Official synopsis: PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS — DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS – Establishes statewide standards governing electric meter reading and billing practices.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-07
Spells out rules and regulations for the presidential preference primary elections, and would also establish rules for ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting by the secretary of state.
In plain English Establishes rules for presidential preference primary elections and ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting.
Official synopsis: ELECTIONS — PRIMARIES FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE – Spells out rules and regulations for the presidential preference primary elections, and would also establish rules for ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting by the secretary of state.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-07
This act would add early voting to the 50 feet buffer prohibitions against politicking during election day voting.
In plain English Extends the 50-foot buffer zone prohibiting campaign activity to early voting locations, matching restrictions that apply on election day.
Official synopsis: ELECTIONS — CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES – This act would add early voting to the 50 feet buffer prohibitions against politicking during election day voting.
Not out of committeeCommittee recommended measure be held for further study · 2026-04-07
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.