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View all Recent Press Releases
   
07/02/2025
Bill to end payday lending signed into law
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Karen Alzate and Sen. Ana B. Quezada that will repeal the exception that allows payday lending to operate in Rhode Island has been signed into law.



  
07/01/2025
Laws enacted to make it easier for patients to get prescriptions
Bills help address frustrating delays and provide help amid primary care crisis
 
Two new laws sponsored by Sen. Pamela J. Lauria and Rep. Michelle McGaw will help patients get their prescriptions expeditiously in situations when their prescriber can’t be reached, or when their insurers want to substitute equivalent drugs or devices.



  
07/01/2025
New law protects 340B discount prescription program
A  new law sponsored by Sen. Bridget Valverde and Rep. Jon D. Brien will protect a critical discount pharmaceutical program that enables safety-net hospitals, clinics and other health care agencies to provide care to the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders. 


  
06/30/2025
2026 budget bill becomes law
The 2026 state budget bill has passed into law. Approved by the General Asembly June 20, the bill (2025-H 5076Aaa) establishes a balanced $14.34 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year that closes budget gaps; bolsters Medicaid despite threats at the federal level; increases reimbursements for primary care providers, nursing homes and hospitals; and provides additional resources to address the housing crisis.


  
06/27/2025
Lawson, Giraldo bill to strengthen state’s family leave program signed into law

Legislation introduced by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson and Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo to expand paid family leave through the Temporary Caregiver Insurance, or TCI, program has been signed into law.

 

  
06/26/2025
Cat declawing to become illegal
Rhode Island will soon join the many places that prohibit the declawing of cats under newly enacted legislation sponsored by Sen. Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence).


  
06/26/2025
Bill prohibiting electronic devices during school day signed
Legislation sponsored by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro has been signed into law, requiring every school in Rhode Island to have a policy on the use of personal electronics that prohibits students from having access to them during the school day. The bill takes effect Aug. 1, 2026.


  
06/26/2025
New law allows 90-day prescriptions for ADHD medications
The governor has signed into law legislation sponsored by Rep. Michelle McGaw and Sen. Alana M. DiMario to help relieve a burden on patients, parents and physicians by tripling the amount of non-opioid, non-narcotic Schedule II prescription drugs — including most commonly prescribed ADHD medications — that can be dispensed at one time.


  
06/26/2025
Assault weapons ban signed into law
Legislation approved by the General Assembly to ban certain military-style weapons in Rhode Island has been signed into law.



  
06/23/2025
General Assembly passes Speaker Shekarchi’s housing package
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi announced that 10 bills in his package of legislation regarding housing issues have passed the General Assembly.

This is Speaker Shekarchi’s fifth comprehensive suite of housing legislation since becoming Speaker in 2021. His efforts have resulted in the enactment of nearly 50 new housing laws coupled with historic investments in affordable housing, including the creation of Rhode Island’s first-ever permanent funding stream for affordable housing production.


  
06/20/2025
General Assembly approves bill to reduce prior authorization requirements for primary care
The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray and Rep. Brandon Potter to create a three-year pilot program prohibiting insurers from requiring prior authorization for medically necessary health care services ordered by patients’ primary care providers.


  
06/17/2025
Assembly approves Gu and Casimiro’s bill to regulate crypto ATMs
The General Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Senate Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies Committee Chairwoman Victoria Gu and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro that aims to protect Rhode Islanders from a rapidly growing category of scams that use cryptocurrency ATMs to defraud victims.


  
06/16/2025
Bill enacted to test biosolids for PFAS
Legislation is aimed at preventing contamination of food, soil and groundwater at farms

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. Alana M. DiMario has been signed into law to require anyone applying for a permit to spread biosolids on land as fertilizer to first test the material for PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.


  
06/16/2025
Bill signed to create ‘PURPLE Alert’ for missing individuals with disabilities
 Legislation sponsored by Rep. Tina L. Spears and Sen. Todd M. Patalano has been signed into law to establish a “PURPLE Alert” system to help quickly find missing adults with serious disabilities whose health and safety is at risk.

  
06/12/2025
Assembly OKs bill reviving board that brings together conservation, affordable housing interests
The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon and Rep. June S. Speakman to revive a state board that brings together leaders in land conservation, construction and affordable housing to promote sustainable housing growth throughout Rhode Island.