Rhode Island

COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND MARINA USERS' BILL OF RIGHTS - Establishes a marina users' bill of rights allowing recourse through the consumer protection unit of the Rhode Island attorney general's office as well as civil causes of action.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION - Grants an affirmative defense for certain privileged communications, including communications made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination.

INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES - Raises the age of eligibility for mobile response and stabilization services from eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) and establishes a minimum rate for commercial health insurance reimbursement for such services.

INSURANCE -- FIRE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES - Amends Rhode Island's standard fire insurance policy by codifying uniform, transparent appraisal procedures and payment obligations that reflect contemporary claim-handling practices while preserving long-standing consumer protections.

INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES - Permits licensed providers to accompany emergency medical services and treat patients within the community for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders.

TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION - Increases the minimum veterans’ exemption from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to six thousand dollars ($6,000) with respect to municipal taxes.

PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- THE GREEN BUILDINGS ACT - Creates the green buildings act commission to consist of 17 members, responsible for the implementation of the green buildings act.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DECARBONIZATION DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2026 - Creates the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy.

MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- BURIAL OF VETERANS - Provides that certain Hmong or Lao veterans who served honorably in military operations in support of the United States as special guerrilla units be granted burial rights at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS ACT OF 2026 - Directs the office of energy resources to develop building performance standards for large buildings in Rhode Island that would cause greenhouse gas emissions to decline in line with the act on climate requirements.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION -- STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS METRICS - Requires that the division of planning create a checklist of environmental and energy issues that state construction projects which cost in excess of $10,000,000 would need to consider.

MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- MILITARY CHILD ACT - Defines "military-connected student", "advance enrollment" and "open enrollment" to give them flexibility in choosing a school district.

EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT - Replaces the existing chapter on this subject by requiring school districts to organize concussion oversight teams, develop removal-from-play, return-to-play, and return-to-learn protocols, and develop a concussion brochure.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- VETERANS IDENTIFICATION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - Provide services for veterans in the criminal justice system ensuring disclosure and connections with federal and state resources.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES - Raises the gross weight of a vehicle eligible for reserve forces plates from 8,500 lbs. to 12,000 lbs. with US flag on the plates. Proof of honorable discharge to be provided to DMV.

EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS - Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island interscholastic league football.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES - Eliminates the registration and service charge fees for National Guard plates.

EDUCATION -- SCHOOL TRAUMA KIT ACT - Requires every elementary and secondary school within the State of Rhode Island to provide and maintain clearly visible and easily accessible trauma kits within the school. It also provides immunity if assistance is rendered.

EDUCATION -- THE CHILDREN'S CARDIAC SAFETY ACT - Establishes "The Children's Cardiac Safety Act", and provide for childhood cardiac screening based on modules that incorporate current best practices.

EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT - Requires schools to implement a plan to provide academic accommodation for a student who has been diagnosed with a concussion or other brain injury.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BUILDINGS CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION ACT - Requires large developments, those to be constructed on a parcel of land that is greater than 50,000 square feet in size provide carbon impact reports as part of the permitting process prior to approval and issuance of a building permit.

COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GIFT CARD FRAUD - Makes offenses against gift card holders subject to the penalties for larceny.