Rhode Island

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.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- THE TRADES WORKER JUSTICE AND SAFETY ACT - Establishes the trades worker justice and safety act to help provide workers with a workplace free from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, bullying, abuse and retaliation.

EDUCATION -- HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - Establishes the Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Act.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- PARKING SPACES - Permits Smithfield to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-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 -- NEXT GENERATION PUBLIC BUILDINGS ACT - Prohibits the use of heating systems utilizing fossil fuels as well as air or water heating systems in any state or municipal building open to the public constructed, altered or renovated on or after January 1, 2028.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- TIVERTON - Prohibits applications filed in the town of Tiverton, for comprehensive permit projects, for low- and moderate-income housing, to include accessory dwelling units.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES - Allows the town of Tiverton to determine its density bonuses based upon its underlying zoning.

HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS - Requires any contractor performing construction or maintenance for RIDOT, RITBA or any other construction on any state roads have in place an attenuator truck/crash truck with an operational camera.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING - Amends the low and moderate income housing act.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT - Allows employees, not represented by a union, to create a group to collectively bargain with employers.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - Prohibits an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or employee, to commit any act declared to be an unlawful employment practice; individuals would be held personally liable for such conduct.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE AND FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - Creates a comprehensive statutory framework to address and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, considering the interests of employers and employees.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND - Requires that in the town of Coventry, local regulations shall require approval of the permitting authority for both private and public improvements prior to final plan approval.

TOWN AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT PROJECTS IN TIVERTON - Provides that comprehensive permit projects in Tiverton, involving property not connected to either public water or sewer or both, and for which the property is considered hydric said land be excluded from the building land calculation.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING - Authorizes the town of Johnston, 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.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- TIVERTON'S NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ACT - Sets timelines for Tiverton's new construction, including one year for final approval, two (2) years for building permits, and temporary inclusion of units in the town's count until completion or three (3) years, whichever comes first.

EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS - Authorizes the school administration to issue an out-of-school suspension to students if they are a threat to the safety of others.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- PARKING SPACES - Permits Tiverton to require two parking space for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing units upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking availability near these units.

EDUCATION -- CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES - Requires transition planning for high school students with disabilities, who have a “504” plan, like the transition planning required for high school students with disabilities, who have an individualized education program (IEP).

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- PARKING SPACES - Permits Johnston to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-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.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - Mandates any contract for capital improvements at any healthcare facility adhere to the requirements of chapter 13 of title 37.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT -- NO LIMITATION ON HEALTHCARE BENEFIT PROVIDERS - Repeals the law that prevents a collective bargaining agreement covering state employees, public school teachers and municipal employees from specifying a particular healthcare provider in it.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING - Authorizes the town of Smithfield, 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.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR FUEL TAX - Sets the allocation to RIPTA at the greater of $0.1175 per gallon or 29.375% of total proceeds, with $0.005 per gallon derived from the $0.01 per gallon environmental protection fee.