# Rhode Island H8501: AN ACT RELATING TO STATUTES AND STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION . Rhode Island H8501, AN ACT RELATING TO STATUTES AND STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION ., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Christopher R. Blazejewski (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-06-23 (Signed by Governor — Chapter 352); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8501-2026 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Rhode Island H8501 - State: Rhode Island - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: AN ACT RELATING TO STATUTES AND STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION . - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-05-01 - Last action: 2026-06-23, Signed by Governor — Chapter 352 - Sponsor: Christopher R. Blazejewski (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 0 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 2 (102 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 60 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Right to repair powered wheelchairs: benefit, medium. You can get manufacturer documentation, parts, software, and firmware for powered wheelchairs on fair terms. Documentation is free; printed copies can charge only reasonable actual costs. Software and firmware are free, do not need internet or special authorization, and must enable full use. Prices… - Safer kratom products and clear labels: benefit, medium. Starting April 1, 2026, it is illegal to sell or advertise kratom that fails safety or labeling rules. Each serving may have no more than 150 mg mitragynine; 7‑hydroxymitragynine must be no more than 0.5 mg per gram, no more than 1 mg per serving, and no more than 1% of total alkaloids. Heavy metal… - Audiology and speech therapy by telehealth: benefit, medium. Licensed audiologists and speech‑language pathologists may deliver care in person or by telepractice. Telepractice must follow the same ethics and scope of practice as in‑person care. - Less prior authorization and insurance delays: benefit, medium. The state insurance office sets and enforces rules to cut insurer paperwork and delays that hold up care. A standing group of insurers and providers works to simplify prior authorization and reports to lawmakers each July 1 during the pilot. If your in‑network primary care doctor orders a service,… - Stronger mental health coverage oversight: benefit, medium. The insurance regulator makes sure mental health and addiction care follow the same coverage rules as other care. OHIC pushes insurers to better integrate physical and behavioral health and reduce roadblocks to treatment. OHIC also had to report to lawmakers by June 1, 2023 on how these parity rule… - Stronger nursing home staffing and protections: benefit, medium. Nursing homes must post the minimum direct‑care staff required per shift and a phone number or website to report problems. They must keep daily staffing postings for at least three years and share them on request. Regular double shifts are banned, and in homes with more than 30 beds the director of… - Clear test for affordable housing: benefit, medium. For homes you buy, costs for mortgage, taxes, and insurance must be at or below 30% of your gross income, and your income must be under 120% of area median income (140% in New Shoreham for inventory). For rentals, rent plus heat and utilities (not phone) must be at or below 30% of your gross income… - Pilot expands homebuying for moderate incomes: benefit, medium. The state runs a four‑year pilot that lets moderate‑income buyers (100%–120% of area median income) qualify with housing costs up to 38% of gross income. The pilot ends December 31, 2029. Homes sold under the pilot can count toward local affordable housing goals. The Secretary of Housing reports re… - Waterfront access, marinas, and long leases: benefit, medium. Marinas and recreational boating facilities count as public‑trust uses. If you own riparian or littoral land, you can apply to lease filled land next to your upland for up to 50 years, with one 50‑year renewal. Leases keep public rights like navigation and fishing, and the state can cancel for caus… - Easier access to out-of-district CTE programs: benefit, medium. Students can enroll in a state‑approved career and technical education (CTE) program outside their home district when no substantially similar state‑approved program exists locally. This right applies only to programs approved by the state CTE board. Students already enrolled or accepted as of Janu… - Two $500 stipends for older retirees: benefit, medium. Public retirement system members and beneficiaries who retired on or before July 1, 2015 receive two one‑time $500 payments. The first is paid within 60 days after the implementing legislation, and the second in the same month the next year. These payments are not cost‑of‑living increases. - Clearer prices and easier rebate redemption: benefit, low. Starting March 31, 2026, if an ad shows a net price after a maker’s rebate, the retailer must tell you the rebate amount at checkout and handle the rebate redemption. Sellers must also list labor and service charges separately if you ask. - Honest prices for tickets and lodging: benefit, low. Beginning March 31, 2026, advertisers and sellers of live‑event tickets and short‑term lodging must follow the federal pricing rule (16 C.F.R. Part 464). Violations are unfair or deceptive acts under state law. - Kiosks must warn and give receipts: benefit, low. Virtual currency kiosks must show clear terms in your preferred language and get your acknowledgement. They must display bold warnings that transactions are irreversible and list risks, fees, and exchange rates. Starting November 1, 2025, operators must give you a physical receipt with the date and… - Stronger protections for veterans’ claim help: benefit, low. Starting March 31, 2026, it is unlawful to give unfair or deceptive help to a veteran filing a VA disability claim. This protects veterans from misleading advisers. - Nursing homes must post and report staffing: benefit, low. Nursing homes must post the actual number of direct care nurses on duty for each shift in a public place. Homes must send quarterly staffing data to the health department, which posts it online with plain‑language notes. Staffing data is checked during annual licensing surveys and is made public. E… - Local district budgets and assessment appeals: benefit, low. The Quonochontaug East Beach Water District council is set as the moderator, treasurer, district clerk, and the finance and public works chairs. Three members make a quorum, notices must be mailed at least five days before meetings, and the council must meet at least 20 days before the annual meeti… - Schools cannot search retained student devices: benefit, low. Beginning August 1, 2026, school staff cannot search a student’s personal device that the school holds during school hours. This applies when the device is not in the student’s possession in a locked pouch or container. - Relocation aid won’t cut benefits or taxes: benefit, low. If you receive a relocation payment under the Uniform Relocation Payments law, it does not count as income or resources for state assistance. It is also excluded from Rhode Island personal and corporate income taxes. Your public assistance amount will not be reduced by these payments. - Ethics panel barred from lobbying ties: benefit, low. Ethics Commission members and staff cannot own or work for a business that makes money from lobbying. If a member violates this rule, the Governor must declare the seat vacant. - Faster coastal decisions and dredging reuse: benefit, low. The coastal council can act as a final, binding decision‑maker in coastal disputes between state agencies and/or towns. The council is also the lead contact for dredging. Before buying landfill cover, the state must first check with the council to see if suitable dredged material is available. - New governance rules for the hub: benefit, low. The board may hold meetings by videoconference; remote directors count for quorum and votes, with public notice and access. Director terms are staggered after January 2028. Directors must disclose any financial interest in advance, record it in minutes, and recuse from related votes. The governor m… - Stronger public records and archives: benefit, low. When a general officer ends their final term, their official records go to the state archives within 30 days. By January 1, 2026, each agency must name and train a records officer to run records programs and submit yearly destruction requests. Agencies must get an approved destruction certification… - Stronger rules for public records: benefit, low. Agencies must send record schedules for review. The attorney general and auditor general have 120 days to comment. If no comments come back in 120 days, the agency can finalize the schedule. Agencies cannot destroy records without approval. Records moved to the state archives become public under ar… - Towns can name environmental advocates: benefit, low. A mayor or town administrator can choose the conservation commission to serve as the town’s environmental advocate. The city or town council must approve the choice. - When Articles I and II start: benefit, low. Article I takes effect December 31, 2026. Article II takes effect on passage. These dates tell you when each part of the law applies. - Stronger consumer law for veterans: benefit, low. Starting March 31, 2026, violating the Rhode Island Veterans’ Protection law counts as an unfair or deceptive act. Violators face the civil penalties used for deceptive trade practices. - Tougher rules for card fraud: benefit, low. Penalties increase when someone uses a stolen, forged, or revoked credit or debit card to get more than $100 in value in any six‑month period. Under $100 in six months uses lesser penalties. Card revocation notices are presumed received four days after mailing in the U.S. and ten days for certain f… - Dietetics licensing board and compact updates: benefit, low. The state creates a nine‑member dietetics board with three‑year terms and a two‑term limit. The board recommends rules, decides license fitness, issues or reinstates licenses, and can recommend discipline. The law also updates key Dietitian Licensure Compact definitions to guide multi‑state practic… - Regular reviews of service rates and access: benefit, low. The insurance office (OHIC) must hire experts to review social and human service programs. Reviews set baselines for eligibility, services, reimbursement rates, use trends, workforce, and wait lists. Reports were due January 1 and April 1, 2023. A biennial review process began by September 1, 2023,… - State health office coordinates Medicaid waivers: benefit, low. The health and human services secretary coordinates how Medicaid waivers and state‑plan changes are aligned and financed. The secretary advises the governor and works with federal officials on Medicaid reform. Departments still keep the job of preparing and submitting waiver and plan applications. - Five-year housing plan and councils: benefit, low. The state must adopt a five‑year housing plan with goals and steps. When the plan is adopted, cities and towns must update local plans to match it, unless they have an approved affordable housing plan. The law creates a permanent Interagency Council on Homelessness (meets beginning June 29, 2025) a… - Licenses for residential structural contractors: benefit, low. Rhode Island now licenses contractors who supervise or do structural work on one‑ to four‑family homes. The program sets minimum standards to improve safety and quality. - Stronger state building code and office: benefit, low. The state can adopt and run a building code and resolve conflicts with fire rules. It adopts model codes for homes and commercial buildings and the latest National Electrical Code, effective July 1 of the edition year. The law creates a state building code office inside the State Fire Marshal’s off… - New board for police relief fund: benefit, low. A seven‑member Police Officer’s Relief Board is set in the Department of Labor and Training. Most members are full‑time municipal police officers, plus one member from police chiefs and one retired Providence police officer. The general treasurer runs all financial duties. - Stronger standards and annual CTE lists: benefit, low. All state‑approved CTE programs must meet industry standards or tie to a recognized national program. Each year, by January 15, the state posts a list of programs it deems substantially similar for the next school year, using factors like occupation, credentials, and work‑based learning; schools ha… - Prudent investing for Baby Bond Trust: benefit, low. The General Treasurer must invest Rhode Island Baby Bond Trust assets prudently, considering return, risk, term, diversification, liquidity, and expected payments. Funds must be continuously invested until used for eligible costs or operations. The trust cannot be required to buy state or local obl… - Life Science Hub funding with board review: benefit, low. The law creates the Rhode Island Life Science Hub with a 16‑member board. A board committee reviews company certification using verifiable evidence, and the board records findings. Certified companies can get competitive grants, loans, or investments, plus help securing other funds and clinical tri… - Big penalties for breaking loan repayment: cost, high. If you do not start or finish your required service in the state’s health professional loan repayment program, you owe the state. You must pay the amounts the state paid for you, plus $7,500 for each month not served, plus interest. The total is at least $31,000. Payment is due within one year afte… - Tight deadlines for injured‑on‑duty retirement: cost, high. State employees hurt before July 1, 2019 had 90 days from July 1, 2019 to apply if they had 18+ months of injured‑on‑duty pay by that date. Those with less than 18 months must apply within 18 months of injury, with at least 90 days to apply. Late applicants had 90 days from July 1, 2019 to file. If… - Workers’ comp ends when pay rebounds: cost, medium. If you return to work and your average weekly pay equals your pre‑injury pay (not counting overtime), the law presumes you regained your earning capacity. That can stop or reduce your wage‑loss workers’ compensation benefits. - Tighter permits for coastal projects: cost, medium. The coastal council must review and can approve, condition, or deny work in tidal waters and within 200 feet of the coast. Big or sensitive projects, like >40 MW power plants, desalination, petroleum or chemical facilities, sewage plants, and dredge disposal, face extra review. You must show your p… - School bus camera tickets by mail: cost, low. Police can issue a ticket based only on live video from a school bus violation camera. The ticket must be mailed to the registered owner within 10 days and include images and a sworn officer statement. Only authorized officers can issue these tickets. The notice explains how to pay or contest it, a… - West Greenwich can take land for water: mixed, high. The West Greenwich Water District can buy or take private land for water facilities. It cannot take state or city/town land without that owner’s consent. If it takes your land, the district must file its vote and deposit estimated compensation in court within six months. Title shifts when the filin… - Career and tech program funding and access: mixed, medium. Programs that do not meet board standards cannot enroll out‑of‑district students and lose state or federal CTE funding. Money under §16‑7.2‑6 must be used only to improve approved CTE programs or to start new ones. For out‑of‑region enrollment, the home district pays only its average per‑pupil tran… - Municipal retiree raises and 1% pay‑in: mixed, medium. Towns can adopt retiree raises: Plan A adds 1.5% a year; Plans B and C add 3% a year (not compounded). East Greenwich may adopt Plan C for certain employees retiring on or after January 1, 2003. Employees in towns that adopt a plan must pay an extra 1% of pay starting the next January 1. Retiree ad… - Workers’ comp earnings and medical‑improvement rules: mixed, medium. Earnings capacity can be set from a real offer of suitable work or by court evidence. Actual light‑duty wages do not set capacity until 13 successful weeks. Maximum medical improvement means your condition is stable and unlikely to materially improve; a court’s MMI finding is reviewed only after a… - Expanded coastal dredging and planning: mixed, medium. The coastal council must make a marine resources plan with goals and performance checks. It must update the plan at least every five years. The council manages dredging programs and can accept grants and loans. This helps coastal protection and planning and may change rules for towns and builders. - Narrower coastal council reach on land: mixed, low. The coastal council may act on land only within 200 feet of a coastal feature, or as needed to manage resources. It may approve, condition, or reject activities only when there is a likely conflict with plans or risk of coastal damage. - New limits on student phone use at school: mixed, low. Beginning August 1, 2026, every public school must have a policy that blocks student access to personal devices during the school day. The policy must allow written exceptions for assistive tech in 504 plans or IEPs, medical needs, and language access for new English learners. Schools must notify p… - New property tax appeal deadlines: mixed, low. You must file your local property tax appeal by November 15 each year and at least 90 days after your first tax payment is due. Assessors have until December 31 to decide. For income‑producing residential buildings with six or more units, you must submit a 12‑month income and expense statement; mis… - Public board members unpaid, liability limited: mixed, low. Board directors, except the president/CEO, serve without pay. They can be repaid for real, necessary expenses. Directors, officers, and employees are not liable for their actions unless they commit malfeasance or intentionally break the law. - State receivers can run city finances: mixed, low. The Director of Revenue can end a local budget commission and appoint a receiver. The receiver can take over fiscal duties, including school and zoning actions tied to money. The Director can remove the receiver at any time. The city, town, or district pays the receiver’s salary. - Towns must fund adopted pension COLAs: mixed, low. When a town adopts a pension COLA, it must pay any extra employer contributions needed to fund it. This raises town pension costs and may affect local budgets or services. - Medicaid and benefits rules under review: mixed, low. The health secretary reviews Medicaid eligibility every two years to improve access and quality. Agencies must share data on time. The secretary must build integrated data systems across departments and perform independent reviews when asked by the governor or legislature. For the October 1, 2023 b… - Tighter supervision for speech and hearing assistants: mixed, low. Support staff cannot work on their own. A licensed supervisor with 24 months’ experience must direct them and is responsible for their work. Supervisors must use qualified aides, assign only trained tasks, tell clients when aides help, and complete at least two hours of supervision training. Limits… - Hazardous sites can be labeled blighted: mixed, low. When a community has a special law and passes a local ordinance, areas with hazardous materials can be treated as “blighted” for redevelopment. This lets redevelopment agencies use special tools on those sites. It only applies if both the special act and the local ordinance authorize it. - CTE data now collected by receiving schools: mixed, low. Starting July 1, 2025, the district where a CTE student attends must collect and report required student data. The sending district no longer has that duty. - State support and asset rules for hub: mixed, low. The commerce corporation must provide operating space for the hub for at least its first year. The hub stays in place while bonds are outstanding. If the hub ends, the state takes its assets and must assume its obligations. No hub earnings go to private persons. - Utility district can issue tax‑exempt bonds: mixed, low. The Clear River Electric and Water District can issue bonds and short‑term notes, with maturities up to 40 years. It can refinance with refunding bonds and place money in escrow. District bonds and the income from them are tax‑exempt, and eligible for many institutional investors. The district can… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Christopher R. Blazejewski (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-06-11 | Senate | RELATING TO STATUTES & STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION In Concurrence | pass | 38 | 0 | | | 2026-05-19 | House | STATUTES / STATUTORY CONST. PASSAGE | pass | 64 | 0 | | ## Actions (14) - 2026-06-23: Signed by Governor — Chapter 352 (Governor) - 2026-06-18: Transmitted to Governor (Governor) - 2026-06-11: Senate passed in concurrence (Senate) - 2026-06-10: Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026) (Senate) - 2026-06-09: Committee recommends passage in concurrence - 2026-06-05: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/09/2026) - 2026-05-22: Referred to Senate Judiciary (Senate) - 2026-05-19: House read and passed (House) - 2026-05-15: Placed on House Calendar (05/19/2026) (House) - 2026-05-14: Committee recommends passage - 2026-05-11: Scheduled for consideration (05/14/2026) - 2026-05-05: Committee recommended measure be held for further study - 2026-05-01: Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/05/2026) - 2026-05-01: Introduced, referred to House Judiciary (House) ## Bill text - H8501 - As Introduced, 2026-05-01: [HTML](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8501.htm), [PDF](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8501.pdf) ## Related bills - H8605: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS . (became law) - H8580: AN ACT RELATING TO THE NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT . (became law) - H8586: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY . (became law) - H8525: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES . (became law) - H8506: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELATING TO CENTRAL FALLS PENSION PLAN . (became law) - H8437: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION . (became law) ## Sources - [H8501 - As Introduced (HTML)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8501.htm) - [H8501 - As Introduced (PDF)](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H8501.pdf) ## Related - [H8605: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8605-2026) - [H8580: AN ACT RELATING TO THE NORTH TIVERTON FIRE DISTRICT .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8580-2026) - [H8586: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8586-2026) - [H8525: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8525-2026) - [H8506: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELATING TO CENTRAL FALLS PENSION PLAN .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8506-2026) - [H8437: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION .](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8437-2026) - [Rhode Island bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/rhode-island/bills) - [Rhode Island state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/rhode-island) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/RI-H8501-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).