Rhode Island

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- THE COMMUTER TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS ACT - Establishes the commuter transportation benefit chapter. Employers with five hundred (500) or more employees required to establish a pre-tax commuter transportation fringe benefit program.

HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- LONG-TERM CARE SERVICE AND FINANCE REFORM -- ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY MEDICAID RATES - Requires the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to apply an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (“COLA”) to the Medicaid reimbursement rates paid for assisted living services provided pursuant to this chapter.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS - Require criminal background checks for applicants for employment or volunteering for the South Kingstown fire department or fire district.

COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DIGITAL PLATFORM TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY ACT - Regulates how certain large social media platforms utilize algorithms.

TAXATION -- PROPERTY EXEMPT - Exempts the real and tangible personal property of Higher Ground International, located at 7 Ninigret Avenue, within the city of Providence.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING - Authorizes the town of North Providence, if an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE - Permits the construction of residential buildings that are up to four (4) stories and sixteen (16) dwelling units with a single staircase under certain conditions.

FOOD AND DRUGS -- SANITATION IN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS - Establishes a restricted receipt account at the DLT for hospitality industry workforce training grants, funded by an annual $50 dollar fee to be charged by RIDOH to food service establishments.

INSURANCE -- RHODE ISLAND LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION ACT - Requires the Rhode Island life and health insurance guarantee association to be obligated to cover a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500.000) in present value of annuity benefits, including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- PARKING SPACES - Permits North Providence to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, 1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking is available near these units.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING AND PAPER ACT - Creates multiple chapters to provide and establish a comprehensive program for extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, and for recycling of beverage containers.

TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION - Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of Project Hand Up, located in the town of West Warwick.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- CURRENCY TRANSMISSIONS - Expands the definition of operator to anyone who enables customers to purchase virtual currency. Expands the definition of a transaction to include a digital product or application where payment is made in person or through a third party intermediary.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE -- GENERAL PROVISIONS - Expands the benefit definitions to include a grandchild and care recipient and increases benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and 12 weeks for 2028 and provides a TDI/TCI opt-in option for self-employed workers.

TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION - Authorizes the Johnston town council to set tax exemption limit to an amount determined by the city council via ordinance or resolution for qualified individuals defined in the act.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT - Bars police from wearing masks or disguises when interacting with the public, require visible ID, allow limited safety and undercover exceptions, and impose criminal penalties and civil liability for violations.