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Rhode IslandH63852025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO STATUTES AND STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION .

Sponsored By: Christopher R. Blazejewski (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

24 provisions identified: 14 benefits, 3 costs, 7 mixed.

New licensing paths for trade apprentices

Journeyperson applicants in pipefitting, refrigeration or air conditioning, sheet metal, and fire sprinklers must meet the listed trade-hour requirements. This replaces the prior requirement for at least 10,000 hours in Rhode Island. Applicants must have held valid apprentice registration before applying and provide an employer affidavit or other acceptable work evidence. Agency-approved apprenticeships can use time-based, skills-based, or combined progress measures. Skills-based programs must include on-the-job learning; interim credentials must identify occupational skills and how they are tested.

Steep penalties for repeat impaired drivers

Beginning July 1, 2025, enhanced penalties apply to a third or later DUI conviction within ten years. They cover blood alcohol levels of 0.15% or higher, including exactly 0.15%. They also cover impairment by a drug, toluene, or a controlled substance. Mandatory penalties are three to five years in prison, a $1,000 to $5,000 fine, and a three-year license suspension.

DUI treatment brings fees and support

People convicted under the DUI chapter must complete court-ordered driving courses, approved alcohol or drug treatment, or both. A course order carries tuition of at least $25 plus a $175 fee paid into the general fund. After a hearing, failure to finish an ordered course or treatment can mean up to one year in jail. Courts can allow servicemembers and veterans to use approved Veterans' Administration counseling instead. A state-funded motor vehicle agency program provides placement and follow-up with licensed programs for people owing the highway safety assessment.

Credit protections for home insurance shoppers

Home insurers must show that insurance scores predict risk and cannot reject new customers solely for a score or no score. A worse score alone supports adverse action only after bankruptcy, tax lien, garnishment, foreclosure, judgment, or confirmation at least six months later. Customers can request an updated score once every two years; improvements must bring any available discount, with score-based rate changes at renewal. After credit-bureau corrections to information causing specified adverse terms, insurers must reissue or rerate within 30 days and refund overpayments for the shorter of 12 months or the coverage period. Scores cannot count unrequested or insurance-related inquiries, medical collections, or specified grouped mortgage and auto-loan inquiries against customers; credit agencies also cannot sell or share insurance-inquiry data except with the originating agent or insurer and that insurer's affiliates or holding companies.

Retirement savings access for qualifying workers

Secure Choice eligibility starts at age 18 after 120 days with a qualifying employer. Eligible employers have at least five workers; smaller employers can choose to join. Employers offering tax-qualified retirement plans are excluded, as are specified railway, interstate-commerce, and Taft-Hartley pension employees. The treasurer must choose diversified default investments and seek low participant fees and program expenses. The law sets no fee cap or guaranteed savings.

Arbitration option for smaller vehicle claims

Plaintiffs can choose arbitration for covered motor vehicle liability claims of $50,000 or less involving insured or self-insured drivers. Claims can involve property damage, injury, or death from vehicle ownership, maintenance, or use. One arbitrator hears the case, can issue subpoenas, and makes the award. The award is binding unless either side preserves a jury trial by giving the required notice within 60 days afterward.

Fair reimbursement for covered health services

For services already covered from professionals licensed under the listed health-profession laws, insurers must base reimbursement on medical necessity. Insurers cannot deny reimbursement because of race, color, or creed, or unfairly discriminate against those professionals. The law updates the licensing reference to chapter 35.1 rather than chapter 35.

Federal funding for free breast screenings

Rhode Island's free mammography program serves uninsured or underinsured women. It includes follow-up, diagnostic testing, and case management when needed. The law names the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the funding source instead of the Rhode Island Cancer Council. It sets no new funding amount and does not change the stated eligible population.

Temporary work access for massage therapists

Therapists applying for Rhode Island licensure can work for 45 days with acceptable proof of current licensure elsewhere. The license must be by examination or endorsement, and the period starts on the application fee receipt date. Therapists must meet Rhode Island requirements during that period; it cannot be renewed or extended. Nonresident therapists with valid credentials from another state, U.S. territory, Washington, D.C., or foreign country can also provide massage at appropriate charity events or other events. That event exception does not grant a general Rhode Island license.

Age checks for tobacco delivery buyers

Before a first delivery sale of cigarettes, tobacco, or electronic nicotine products, sellers must obtain a signed age-and-address certification. Buyers must certify they are at least 21. Sellers must verify buyers through a commercial database in good faith or obtain an image of valid government identification. Sellers must also provide the required delivery-sale notice. Orders from internet advertisements require payment by a card in the buyer's name or by check.

Drivers must keep bicycle lanes clear

Drivers cannot drive or park in lanes reserved exclusively for bicycles. Exceptions allow turning, entering or leaving a road or parking lane, and required official duties.

Broader insider rules protect insurer assets

When an insurer is liquidated, people with influence comparable to an officer can count as insiders without holding that title. This can help the liquidator recover transfers and preserve assets for claimants, including policyholders. Transfers must still meet the law's insolvency and timing requirements for recovery.

Grants and loans for energy storage

The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank must develop energy storage programs with the Office of Energy Resources and distribute funding. Programs provide grants and no-interest or low-interest loans, including support for residential, low-income residential, commercial, and qualifying front-of-meter systems. Storage must share a site with distributed energy resources or enable their connection without distribution-system upgrade costs. Targets are 90 megawatts by December 31, 2026, 195 by December 31, 2028, and 600 by December 31, 2033. Local distribution companies serving more than 100,000 customers cannot receive support; no total funding amount is stated.

Counseling compact loses annual assessment authority

The law repeals the Counseling Compact Commission's authority under this provision to charge member states annual assessments. It removes the related formula-based allocation among states. No assessment amount or direct household benefit is stated.

Transplant assistance fund revenue reference updated

The law updates the tax-revenue source named for Rhode Island's organ transplant fund. The fund helps pay eligible transplant expenses that are not reimbursed. The change adds no stated funding amount and does not change expense eligibility.

School funding exception for residential beds

For fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2024, CRAFT-associated residential beds do not trigger the specified group-home-bed decrease. The exception covers beds at or associated with that program. It affects average daily membership used in certain school funding calculations; no district dollar amounts are stated.

Salvage yards face department rule enforcement

Auto wrecking and salvage yard applicants or license holders can face license denial, suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal for willful violations. The rule covers the governing law and Department of Business Regulation rules, replacing the reference to board rules.

Certified glazing crews on public projects

Effective January 30, 2025, glazing certification rules cover public renovations over $1 million and new construction over $5 million. Companies must hold NACC certification; workers must meet the phased AGMT certification rules. The schedule requires one certified employee from July 1, 2024, and one certified worker per crew from January 1, 2025. Each crew must be 25% certified from January 1, 2026, and 50% from January 1, 2027. Violations carry $1,500 to $3,000 civil penalties; intentional or egregious violations can lead to license revocation.

Faster personal insurance rate changes

Insurers can put personal-policy rate filings into effect immediately when the statewide aggregate increase or decrease is no more than 5%. This is not a 5% cap on each household's premium. Generally, insurers can use this route once per 12 months; additional expedited filings must stay within the combined 5% limit. Existing-policy increases take effect only at renewal or conditional renewal, with at least 30 days' written notice. The commissioner can stop an inadequate or unfairly discriminatory filing on a reasonable future date.

Accountability rules cover state service contractors

Accountability standards cover social and human service providers working under contracts with the state, its subdivisions, or its agencies. The standards can include reports, audits, and public accountability dashboards. The law clarifies which contracts are covered.

Interstate insurance approvals bring filing fees

Insurers can sell commission-approved products in participating states where they are authorized to do business. Insurers and third-party filers pay product filing fees sufficient to cover the interstate commission's annual budget and operating costs. The law sets no fee amount. The commission can review products and advertisements after filing or approval. It can change or withdraw product approval for failure to meet uniform standards, after notice and a hearing, with appeal rights.

Uniform insurance rules limit state enforcement

Insurers get one set of commission rules for content and approval of commission-approved products and covered advertisements. State commissioners cannot apply separate content requirements, although specified state-law rights and remedies remain. Content-based compact violations involving approved products or ads require a final commission order after insurer notice and a hearing opportunity. For ads not approved or certified, a state commissioner needs commission authorization to bring a content-related action.

Confidential insurer records face disclosure limits

Covered confidential insurer information is generally shielded from public records requests, subpoenas, discovery, and evidence in private civil lawsuits. The commissioner can use it in regulatory or legal actions and share it with authorized agencies that preserve confidentiality. Certain actuarial materials can be subpoenaed to defend a damages case against the appointed actuary. Companies can consent in writing to release; publicly citing or releasing a report can end its protection.

Possible reserve-review exemptions for life insurers

Before the valuation manual takes effect, state regulations can exempt life insurers from including specified reserve-and-supporting-asset reviews in annual actuarial opinions. The law authorizes regulatory exemptions; it does not automatically exempt any insurer.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Christopher R. Blazejewski

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 108 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/21/2025

RELATING TO STATUTES AND STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION In Concurrence Passage

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 6/18/2025

STATUTES/STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION PASSAGE

Yes: 73 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 427

    7/2/2025Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/27/2025Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

    6/21/2025Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)

    6/19/2025Senate

  5. House passed Sub A

    6/18/2025House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/18/2025)

    6/16/2025House

  7. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    6/16/2025

  8. Proposed Substitute

    6/13/2025

  9. Scheduled for consideration (06/16/2025)

    6/13/2025

  10. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    6/12/2025

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/12/2025)

    6/6/2025

  12. Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

    6/4/2025House

Bill Text

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