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Weekly Roundups  

View all Recent Press Releases
   
10/01/2026
CCRI and URI announce new RN-to-BS program to strengthen Rhode Island's nursing workforce
Sen. Hanna M. Gallo and Rep. David A. Bennett joined leaders of the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and the University of Rhode Island (URI) today for the announcement of a new, fully online registered nurse to bachelor of science (RN-to-BS) program. This collaboration provides CCRI nursing alumni with an accessible and adaptable route to achieve their Bachor of Science degree at URI, all while maintaining the high academic standards and clinical focus required by Rhode Island's medical facilities.


  
09/28/2026
Sen. DiPalma, Rep. Cotter join environmental and municipal leaders at 2026 Green Bond ballot campaign kickoff
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma and Rep. Megan L. Cotter joined the Rhode Island Green Bond Initiative today at the Crescent Park Carousel in East Providence for the kickoff of its campaign to gain voter support for $55 million contained in the 2026 Green Bond.


  
08/17/2026
Rhode Island makes history with license plates celebrating Dominican heritage
Rhode Island made history with the creation of a special commemorative license plate honoring Dominican heritage, culture and identity. Gov. Dan McKee ceremonially signed legislation authorizing the plates during an event Friday at the Juan Pablo Duarte Monument at Roger Williams Park in Providence.

  
07/31/2026
Bill signed creating license plate to raise funds for colon cancer awareness in honor of late Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Pamela J. Lauria and Rep. Susan R. Donovan was ceremonially signed into law today to create a special license plate that will support colon cancer awareness efforts in honor of the late Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin.

 

  
07/24/2026
Legislation signed to ensure constitutional rights of Rhode Island residents
Legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III and Rep. Brandon Potter was ceremonially signed into law today, protecting Rhode Islanders’ constitutional rights by creating a state-level right to sue federal officers who violate them.  
07/21/2026
Bills creating special license plates for disability access and to benefit RAMP ceremonially signed into law
Legislation from Sen. Lori Urso and Rep. Earl A. Read III creating special license plates for vehicles adapted for those with disabilities and from Sen. Andrew R. Dimitri and Rep. Richard R. Fascia creating special license plates to benefit the charity Real Access Motivates Progress (RAMP) were signed into law at a ceremony at the Cranston Headquarters of the Rhode Island DMV.  
07/13/2026
Leader Ciccone, Rep. Shanley warehouse employee protection bill ceremonially signed into law
Legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III and Rep. Evan P. Shanley that requires employers to provide each employee of a warehouse distribution center with written descriptions of quotas and responsibilities was ceremonially signed into law.


  
07/08/2026
Legislators join ceremonial bill signing to support construction best practices
Representatives John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton), Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich) and Sen. John P. Burke (D-Dist. 9​​, West Warwick) joined dozens of laborers from Rhode Island unions as Gov. Dan McKee held a ceremonial bill signing for two construction-related bills at the site of the future Pawtucket High School, the location of the former McCoy Stadium.

  
07/01/2026
Sen. DiPalma, Rep. Tanzi and DEM celebrate the new Roger Wheeler State Beach boardwalk and bulkhead
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma, Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi, Governor Dan McKee, Senator Jack Reed, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Terry Gray and Narragansett Town Manager James Tierney celebrated the new bulkhead and boardwalk at Roger Wheeler State Beach.


  
06/25/2026
New law limits fees on school meals
A new law sponsored by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson and Rep. Justine Caldwell now limits transaction and processing fees for school meals.  
06/24/2026
President Lawson, Rep. Casimiro bill to codify youth crisis response services signed into law
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro to codify Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) has been signed into the law. The bill, which was part of the Senate’s 17-bill package of healthcare legislation, aims to provide stability and predictability for a program that has been proven to improve outcomes for Rhode Island children experiencing mental and behavioral health crises.



  
06/23/2026
Sen. Kallman, Rep. Batista bill to keep ICE out of RI courthouses enacted
Legislation from Sen. Meghan E. Kallman and Rep. José F. Batista to protect those attending court proceedings in Rhode Island from arrest by ICE or other federal immigration authorities has been signed into law.



  
06/12/2026
2027 state budget bill enacted
After passage by the General Assembly Tuesday, Gov. Daniel J. McKee today signed the 2027 state budget bill (2026-H 7127Aaa), a balanced $15.2 billion plan that provides economic relief for Rhode Islanders, strengthens support for education and the state’s hospitals and healthcare providers and establishes new government reform efforts without any broad-based tax or fee increases.


  
06/12/2026
Speaker Blazejewski’s legislation creating Office of Independent Inspector General included in state budget
Speaker Christopher R. Blazejewski’s legislation creating an independent Office of the Inspector General was included in the passage of the state budget for the 2027 fiscal year.  
06/11/2026
Governor McKee signs legislation expanding access to justice for child sex abuse victims
On Thursday, June 11, Governor Dan McKee was joined by bill sponsors and survivors to sign legislation expanding access to justice for child sex abuse victims.


  
06/10/2026
Assembly approves bill to enable abuse survivors to exit rental leases
The General Assembly has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Melissa Murray and Rep. Karen Alzate to enable abuse survivors to terminate rental leases for the sake of their protection. The bill now goes to the governor.

  
06/08/2026
Assembly approves McEntee, McKenney bill to revive civil claims springing from childhood sex abuse
The General Assembly passed legislation introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. Mark McKenney that would revive previously time-barred civil claims arising from childhood sexual abuse.


  
06/08/2026
Assembly OKs Woonsocket legislators’ bill banning deed restrictions that block new grocery stores
The General Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Woonsocket Senators Melissa Murray and Brian J. Thompson and Rep. Stephen M. Casey to address a practice often employed by large supermarket chains to stifle competitors.