Rhode Island has enacted legislation (House Bill 5506 SUB A), which prohibits mandatory employer-sponsored meetings regarding religious and political matters. House Bill 5506 SUB A is effective immediately.

Rhode Island has enacted Senate Bill 125A which increases the state’s minimum wage.

Rhode Island has enacted legislation (House Bill 5679), which requires an employer to provide certain information to new hires in the form of a notice. House Bill 5679 takes effect on Jan.  1, 2026.

The state of Rhode Island has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 0361), which expands its law requiring accommodation of pregnancy-related conditions to include menopause-related conditions. Senate Bill 0361 is effective immediately.

Rhode Island has enacted legislation (House Bill 6065), which adds employment protections for bone marrow transplant and living organ donors. House Bill 6065 takes effect on Jan.  1, 2026.

Rhode Island has enacted legislation (House Bill 7058), which will require employers with more than 50 employees to post a veterans’ benefits and services poster. House Bill 7058 takes effect on Jan.  1, 2025.

Rhode Island has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 0444A), which will make June nineteenth (Juneteenth) a state holiday. Senate Bill 0444A takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Rhode Island has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 0342aa), which prohibits employers from requiring that an employee enter into a nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement that requires alleged civil rights violations to remain confidential. Senate Bill 0342aa is effective immediately.

Rhode Island has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 1079a), which clarifies and increases certain penalties for employers that are found to have violated certain payment laws or misclassified independent contractors. Senate Bill 1079a takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.