Rhode Island Senate

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The Senate has passed legislation introduced by Majority Whip Senator David P. Tikoian that would grant Eagle Scouts and...
05/29/2026

The Senate has passed legislation introduced by Majority Whip Senator David P. Tikoian that would grant Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Award recipients automatic admission to the state’s public colleges and universities.

The bill would apply to any Rhode Island resident who has earned the rank of Eagle Scout from Scouting America or the Gold Award from the Girl Scouts of the USA and meets all minimum application submission requirements of the institution.

“The rigors, labors, commitment and dedication that define an Eagle Scout or a Gold Award recipient are unique among America’s youth,” said Whip Tikoian D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, Lincoln, North Providence). “It’s difficult for anyone outside the Scouting world to fathom the time and energy that goes into the process of obtaining Scouting’s highest honors. Now more than ever the world needs these individuals to lead a new generation, and the least we can do is make sure that the doors of our public institutions are open wide to them.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376564

The Senate has passed legislation introduced by Majority Whip Senator David P. Tikoian that would expand the requirement...
05/29/2026

The Senate has passed legislation introduced by Majority Whip Senator David P. Tikoian that would expand the requirement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools while establishing and implementing a cardiac emergency response plan.

The bill would build upon an existing law by making sure those plans are in place and staff is trained in the event of a cardiac emergency.

“The safety of students, student-athletes, staff and visitors should be a priority in every school — public or private,” said Whip Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, Lincoln, North Providence). “This bill will ensure that their safety is enhanced by a coordinated response plan where teams are trained and empowered to administer lifesaving care until emergency medical services arrive.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376565

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week: https://rilegislature.go...
05/29/2026

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week:https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/Weekly%20Highlights/05-29-2026.pdf

Today, Senate Health & Human Services Committee Chair Senator Melissa Murray, RI State Senator Linda Ujifusa, District 1...
05/28/2026

Today, Senate Health & Human Services Committee Chair Senator Melissa Murray, RI State Senator Linda Ujifusa, District 11, and other members of the Senate joined RIPA - Rhode Island Pharmacists Association for Pharmacy Advocacy Day at the State House. Then, during session, the Senate adopted a resolution sponsored by State Senator Meghan Kallman recognizing Pharmacy Advocacy Day.

Watch: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/12232

Read the resolution:https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S3332.pdf

The Senate today passed legislation introduced by Senate President Valarie Lawson to expand paid family leave through Rh...
05/28/2026

The Senate today passed legislation introduced by Senate President Valarie Lawson to expand paid family leave through Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program from eight weeks to 12.

“Rhode Island was once a national leader in providing paid time off for workers to spend with a new child or a sick loved one, but we have fallen behind other states. This bill would make us competitive with our neighbors again, giving us an advantage when competing for talent and giving workers the time they need to care for loved ones at the most critical periods of their lives,” said President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “A society in which people have the time to bond with their babies and care for their loved ones is a healthier society, in every sense of the word. This program, which is funded not through employers but through a modest assessment on the workers themselves, is a proven investment in our workforce and in our children that will pay off for generations.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376556

The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senate President Valarie Lawson that would criminalize deed theft — an ...
05/28/2026

The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senate President Valarie Lawson that would criminalize deed theft — an increasingly common practice that bold scammers use to steal homes and real estate.

Deed theft typically involves forged documents, such as a quit claim deed, to record a phony transfer of property ownership. Scammers will then seek to sell either the stolen vacant land or home or even rent it to turn a profit, forcing the real owners to head to court to reclaim their property.

While still rare, it has become enough of a problem that the FBI has warned New Englanders of a “steady uptick” in the fraud, and AARP has listed it as one of its legislative priorities, since the scam tends to target older property owners.

The bill would establish the criminal offense of real estate title fraud and create penalties for violations. Additionally, it would allow municipalities to refuse to record “suspicious documents” from persons who are not trusted submitters.

“This bill takes the necessary and important steps to protect Rhode Island homeowners and municipalities from the growing threat of real estate title fraud,” said President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “This type of fraud has become more common on the national level, and the victims are often unaware that deeds, liens or mortgages have been filed in their names. This bill provides multiple levels of protection to better safeguard what for most Rhode Islanders is our valuable asset: our homes.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376557

The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III that requires employers to provi...
05/28/2026

The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III that requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center with written descriptions of quotas and responsibilities.

“Employees need to know what exactly their job is and they in no way should be penalized if their job responsibilities have not been clearly communicated to them. This is a worker protection bill that will ensure fairness and clear communication between warehouse employees and their employers,” said Leader Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376548

The Senate today approved two bills sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna Gallo, Senator District 27 ...
05/28/2026

The Senate today approved two bills sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna Gallo, Senator District 27 to set Rhode Island on a path to offering universal free prekindergarten to 3- and 4-year-olds. The bills now head to the House.

“Research has shown how incredibly beneficial pre-K is for children, improving everything from test scores and behavior to college enrollment later on. Children who enter kindergarten with experience in school are prepared, and that head start helps them succeed not only that year, but throughout their education and when they enter the workforce,” said Senator Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick). “Access to such a life-changing resource should never depend on where a child lives or whether a family can afford it.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376563

The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Lammis Vargas for Senate District 28 to prohibit colleges and univers...
05/28/2026

The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Lammis Vargas for Senate District 28 to prohibit colleges and universities from automatically enrolling students in their health insurance plans.

The bill is a consumer-protection measure designed to prevent situations in which students are unknowingly enrolled and billed for the college health plan when they already have health insurance.

The bill, which applies to both public and private institutions, would stipulate that all colleges and universities must require students to affirmatively either accept or reject student health plan coverage before their application for admission or registration is accepted as complete.

“While health care is absolutely important and student plans provide a valuable service for those who need them, many students already have coverage, particularly since the Affordable Care Act allows young people to say on their parents’ plans until they’re 26,” said Senator Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence). “Automatic enrollment, which requires students to notice that they’re being enrolled and take action to opt out, can lead to needless expense and hassles for students and parents. In some cases, students or their families may be paying for duplicative coverage and not even realize it. This is important enough that it should be its own step in the process, where the student is asked to either accept or decline the coverage, so they are aware of what will be on their bill.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376562

The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III that would provide workers ...
05/28/2026

The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III that would provide workers with more protection from bullying and harassment in the workplace.

“I have been introducing similar legislation for many years and in today’s climate of accountability being brought upon harassers, bullies and abusers, we must continue the social progress we have made and pass this protective legislation for all employees in Rhode Island. Rhode Island workers deserve to have the Workplace Psychological Safety Act become law and I thank my colleagues in the Senate for supporting this important piece of workplace protection legislation,” said Leader Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376549

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