Rhode Island

EDUCATION -- THE PAUL W. CROWLEY RHODE ISLAND STUDENT INVESTMENT INITIATIVE - Nullifies the department of elementary and secondary education recommendation that the turnaround plan for Providence public schools be continued.

TAXATION -- BUSINESS CORPORATION TAX - Provides that credits issued pursuant to § 44-11-2.3 relating to pass through entities would be refundable.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID - Includes municipal detention facility corporations as exempt from taxation, and requires that an amount equal to 27% of all tax that would have been collected if the property was taxable be paid to the municipality annually.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS - Provides the review and appeal process for individuals applying for a permit or license to carry a handgun with the licensing authority or attorney general.

COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTERNET ACCESS AND ADVERTISING BY FACSIMILE - Requires that video or photography generated by artificial intelligence or “AI” that is posted on a public platform contain a marking disclosing that it has been generated by AI.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS - Makes it permissible for any student, professor, or other employee of any public or private college or university, to carry, possess and have in their custody, possession and/or under their control, a stun-gun or pepper spray for purposes of self-defense.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON NAMING ALL NEW BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, EDIFICES AND OTHER STATE CONSTRUCTIONS - Names the India Point Park Overpass pedestrian bridge as the "Joseph M. Lima Overpass" to honor the former Deputy Majority Leader's legislative achievements and his lifelong dedication to the Portuguese-American community.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS - Deletes the provision permitting out of state residents to obtain concealed carry permits in this state solely based on their rights in other states. It also corrects a minor typographical error.

AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - Amends the definition of farm and agricultural land to include land on which agricultural operations are being conducted or is suitable for agriculture operations, and further expand the definition of a farmer.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STANDARD AND DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME - Repeals daylight savings time in the state and follow the “United States Standard Eastern Time” as provided by an exemption from the advancement of time as provide by the federal Uniform Time Ac of 1966, 15 U.S.C. § 260(a).

COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AGE-APPROPRIATE DESIGN CODE - Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATE AID - Reinstates general revenue sharing of state aid among the 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island. The initial amount is based upon population, and increased annually thereafter based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS - Disqualifies individuals with prior felony convictions from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS - Prohibits purchases of more than one firearm in any thirty (30) day period.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- JOINT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE SERVICES - Includes the senate majority leader in the joint committee on legislative services.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS - Allows a law enforcement agency to consider expunged records when issuing a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS -- RESPONSIBLE FIREARM PURCHASING ACT - Changes the application to purchase a firearm. Further, this act would require all persons seeking to possess a firearm except for police and military personnel to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course.

EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS - Requires the names of any non-teacher school employee who is terminated for good and just cause, to be furnished to the department of education.

DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT -- JUVENILE RECORDS - Allows access to juvenile criminal records in order to conduct firearm background checks.

EDUCATION -- SCHOOL EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND CHECKS - Provides for a comprehensive criminal and employment background check procedure for all school employees.

PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS -- PREFERENCE FOR RESIDENTS - Provides Rhode Island residents over nonresidents with priority when making reservations to secure a campsite and other recreational facilities.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- SUICIDE PREVENTION -- VOLUNTARY FIREARM RESTRICTIONS ACT - Creates process for individual to voluntarily be either temporarily or indefinitely added to a list restricting their rights to purchase or possess firearms. Adds civil fines and misdemeanor for violations.

LIBRARIES -- STATE AID TO LIBRARIES - Increases reimbursement caps promulgated in 2018 and applies to eligible costs for library projects incurred from June 30, 2025 through June 30, 2031, or ending earlier if the Office of Library Information Services amends the regulations.

COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND CHILDREN’S ONLINE SAFETY ACT - Provides protections to children using online platforms by requiring platforms to turn off open chats by default for young users, and requires parent to approve children's financial transactions on gaming and social media sites.