Rhode Island

AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- NATURAL FOREST PROTECTION ACT - Protects Rhode Island natural forests by banning extractive and even-age logging on state lands and preserves, allowing only limited safety, invasive removal, or selection management after review, hearings, and fines for violations.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPECIAL LICENSES FOR MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND OTHER MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLES - Requires all motorcycle operators to wear a helmet regardless of age.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- COURT ADMINISTRATION - Removes the provision not allowing to publicly post or display the personal information of any protected individual or immediate family member without first obtaining permission.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- RESTORING OPTIONS IN OCCUPANCY MODELS - ROOM) ACT (Expands access to inherently affordable housing by re-legalizing co-living/single-room occupancy (SRO) and shared dwelling models of many types.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES -- VIOLATIONS - Adds criminal penalties for operation of a motor vehicle after a suspension for lack of physical or mental fitness, or as a result of frequency of offenses pursuant to § 31-11-7 (a)(1)(i) or as result of a court ordered suspension.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CONSUMER PFAS BAN ACT OF 2024 - Exempts certain cookware that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS that are authorized by the FDA for food contact for consumer goods from the provision of the consumer PFAS ban act of 2024.

BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- EYELASH SERVICES LICENSING AND REGULATION ACT - Creates a new license for eyelash service technicians, requires permit for eyelash businesses, establishes training and exam standards, authorizes RIDOH enforcement and fines, and imposes a $500 penalty for an unlicensed practice.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- REGULATION OF SALES - Prohibits the holding of multiple drivers licenses or identification cards and would change the term "re-constructed salvage" to "rebuilt salvage" for purposes of the Rhode Island salvage law.

FOOD AND DRUGS -- HEALTHY KIDS ACT - Mandates that all restaurants offering children's meals offer at least two (2) children's meals that complies with certain detailed nutritional standards set forth in the act.

BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY DISCLOSURE AND HOMEOWNERS BILL OF RIGHTS ACT - Defines catastrophic loss and requirements for suspension of payments.

WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY - Requires that a backflow test be performed every ten (10) years, rather than the current yearly inspection.

ELECTIONS -- BALLOT QUESTION ADVOCACY AND REPORTING - Imposes strict identity disclosure requirements for those who incur expenditures for the production of ballot advocacy communications and political advertisements.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION - Strengthens consumer protections in insurance claims by expanding definitions of unfair claims settlement practices and clarifies an insured’s right to pursue bad-faith remedies.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS - Spells out requirements for operation of recreational vehicles, manual, electric or gas powered.

ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS - Allows eligible disabled and military voters to continue to utilize electronically transmitted ballots as originally enacted in 2022.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- JURY LISTS - Makes persons seventy (70) years of age or older eligible for exemption from jury service.

INSURANCE -- FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES - Establishes minimum limitations standards for structural property damage claims, and voids any policy provision, endorsement, condition, limitation, agreement, or claim practice that shortens those standards.

PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS - Requires those with a public records request to provide identifying information.

PROPERTY -- FAITH-BASED AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ACT - Allows faith-based organizations to develop affordable and mixed-use housing on land they own as a by-right use, set statewide development standards, limit local barriers, and streamline approvals to expand housing supply.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES - Permits but not directs a municipality to establish, by ordinance, certain requirements regarding accessory dwelling units regarding ownership for 5 years, non-family ADUs to be rented at affordable rates and limit size to 1,000 sq. ft.

ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS - Entitles disabled and military voters to utilize electronically transmitted ballots.