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Rhode IslandH79602026 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES .

Sponsored By: Arthur J. Corvese (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Public contract bans and surety alerts for violators

If a contractor violates prevailing-wage law, they cannot bid on or get public work for 18–36 months. Pending bids can be revoked. Two or more willful violations within 18 months trigger a 60‑month ban. The department or awarding authority must alert the contractor’s bonding company by certified mail when violations are suspected. The law also removes old 5‑ and 10‑day hearing deadlines, so timing is no longer that tight.

Faster wage hearings and bigger payouts for workers

If you file a formal wage complaint, the department schedules your hearing within 180 days and issues an order within 180 days after it ends. An investigatory team now handles screening, investigations, and field audits. If wages or benefits are owed, the order requires payment, 12% yearly interest from the missed pay date, and can award your reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. It can also add a civil penalty up to twice the unpaid amount, split half to you and half to the department. The director also notifies the contractors’ registration board of violations and alerts the tax administrator if payroll taxes may be affected.

Stiffer penalties for public-works wage theft

On public works, if wages are owed, the order requires payment plus 12% yearly interest. It can add a civil penalty up to three times the unpaid amount. Owing more than $5,000 in salary is a misdemeanor, with up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Willfully filing false certified payrolls brings a civil fine of $2,000–$15,000 per false entry and criminal charges (first a misdemeanor; later a felony). Each day of violation counts separately, which can multiply penalties. Collected penalties go to a dedicated fund used only to enforce prevailing wages.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Arthur J. Corvese

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 134 • No: 0

House vote • 6/3/2026

LABOR/ RELATION PAYMENT OF WAGES PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT

Yes: 65 • No: 0

House vote • 6/3/2026

LABOR/ RELATION PAYMENT OF WAGES PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 69 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 300

    6/23/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/18/2026Governor

  3. Senate passed as amended in concurrence

    6/9/2026Senate

  4. Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/09/2026)

    6/5/2026Senate

  5. House passed as amended (floor amendment)

    6/3/2026House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/03/2026)

    5/29/2026House

  7. Committee recommends passage

    5/28/2026

  8. Scheduled for consideration (05/28/2026)

    5/22/2026

  9. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    3/18/2026

  10. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/18/2026)

    3/13/2026

  11. Introduced, referred to House Labor

    2/27/2026House

Bill Text

  • H7960 - As Amended

    2/27/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • H7960 - As Introduced

    2/27/2026

    HTMLPDF

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