Rhode Island is the first state to expressly require employers to provide workplace accommodations for job applicants and employees who are experiencing menopause and menopause-related medical conditions. This requirement...more
Rhode Island’s Governor recently signed the Rhode Island Judicial Security Act (H5892), which aims to bolster the privacy and security of current and former judicial officers and their families by introducing several measures...more
Rhode Island employers must keep up with new workplace laws enacted this year, including some that have already taken effect. The state not only joined a growing number of states that prohibit so-called “captive audience”...more
Recent legislation enacted by the Rhode Island General Assembly brings reforms to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) in March 2026. Other new laws and CRMC priorities, and changes to permitting...more
On June 17, 2025, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved the state’s $13.9 billion budget for FY 2026, which includes a substantial 63% increase in the real estate transfer (conveyance) tax. Effective July 1,...more
On June 26, the governor of Rhode Island signed into law S0169, which amends the state’s deceptive trade practices laws to prohibit credit reporting agencies from reporting a consumer’s medical debt. The law also bars filing...more
On June 26, 2025, Rhode Island enacted Bill 579 SUB A, Chapter 41, establishing new compliance and reporting requirements for nonprofit organizations operating within the state. Aimed at enhancing transparency and...more
On June 24, the governor of Rhode Island signed into law H 5811 to amend the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2009. The amendment changes the law to prohibit an individual who is licensed as both a...more
On June 23, the governor of Rhode Island signed into law HB 5121 which grants Rhode Island new currency transmission laws to regulate and establish new licensing, disclosure and anti-fraud requirements for virtual currency...more
On February 27, 2025, the Rhode Island General Assembly announced a 12-bill package, aimed at addressing housing issues faced by the state of Rhode Island. This marks the fifth package of housing bills introduced since 2021...more
Rhode Island recently passed the Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024, which will ban the manufacture, use and distribution of certain products with intentionally added PFAS starting January 1, 2027. The Act further states “[i]t is...more
On June 13, 2024, the Rhode Island legislature passed the Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act (the “Act”), which became law in late June. The Act aims to protect the personal information of Rhode Island...more
On June 25, 2024, Rhode Island became the 20th state to enact a comprehensive consumer data protection law, the Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act (“RIDTPPA”). The state joins Kentucky, Maryland,...more
The Rhode Island Legislature enacted its comprehensive data privacy law on July 1, 2024. The Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act (H 7787, or the “RI-DTPPA”) was enacted in response to growing concerns about data...more
It is that time of year again, when the Rhode Island legislature ends its session and passes a number of laws that affect businesses with Rhode Island-based employees. 2024 was no different. Though in some ways this year was...more
Keypoint: While the act does not include many provisions found in the more recent consumer data privacy laws, it would expand privacy notice obligations in one significant way although the applicability and scope of that...more
In an effort to “fundamentally change [the State’s] approach to housing development, particularly for the moderate and affordable development we need most,” the Rhode Island General Assembly recently passed a slew of...more
Following up on a recent PSH Land Use Client Alert, Governor McKee has signed into law a collection of bills which were passed through both houses of the state legislature in June. These new laws, which will mostly become...more
It is that time of year again, when the Rhode Island legislature ends its session and passes a number of laws that affect businesses with Rhode Island based employees. 2023 was no different. Following is a short summary of...more
Summer in the Ocean State brings with it familiar novelties: the beach, clam cakes, and the end of the General Assembly’s legislative session. In this Insight, we summarize three employment-related bills that Rhode Island...more
Last month, the Rhode Island General Assembly adjourned for 2022. Two years removed from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislative session finally returned to a familiar pace and structure. In contrast, the ongoing...more
With a stroke of his pen on Wednesday, Governor McKee signed the bill that dramatically changes the landscape for marijuana cultivation, possession, sale and use in Rhode Island. Many of the changes are effective immediately....more
Rhode Island’s governor, Daniel McKee, signed 2021 R.I. HB 5867/2021 R.I. SB 736 into law on July 13, 2021. The enactment changes Rhode Island’s products liability law and impacts how courts treat a manufacturer’s or seller’s...more