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7/8/2025
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RIBLIA Caucus celebrates 2025 legislative accomplishments
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STATE HOUSE — The Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander (RIBLIA) Caucus is celebrating the passage of several of its legislative priorities by the General Assembly during the 2025 session. These bills will support businesses of color, strengthen labor rights, protect consumers, provide support to immigrants and protect against discrimination on the basis of race.
“The RIBLIA Caucus is proud to celebrate the substantive legislative gains we advocated for and achieved this session. From ending the predatory practice of payday lending to empowering economic opportunity through higher wages, the General Assembly took meaningful steps to help make sure that Rhode Island is a place where everyone can thrive. As a caucus, we remain committed to urgent action in these times of uncertainly and worry, and will continue to prioritize legislation that puts the needs of people first,” said Sen. Tiara T. Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence) and Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence), who co-chair the caucus.
The following legislative priorities announced by RIBLIA in March were passed by the General Assembly and have been either signed by the governor or become law without his signature:
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2025-S 0311, 2025-H 5684 — This bill sponsored by Sen. Lammis J. Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) and Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls) requires the Department of Administration to provide a list of certified minority and women-owned business enterprises to contractors.
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2025-S 0070Aaa, 2025-H 5679Aaa — The Paystub Transparency Act sponsored by Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) and Representative Giraldo will require employers, at the time of hiring, to give their employees an itemized list of the terms and conditions of the employee’s employment.
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2025-S 0274, 2025-H 5674 — This bill sponsored by Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence) and Representative Giraldo prohibits landlords from asking about the immigration status of a tenant or perspective tenant.
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2025-S 0229A, 2025-H 5042A — This bill sponsored by Senator Quezada and Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) repeals the law allowing payday lenders to operate in Rhode Island.
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2025-S 0519, 2025-H 5841 — This bill sponsored by Senator Mack and Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race by expanding the definition of race to include traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles.
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2025-S 0125A, 2025-H 5029A — This bill sponsored by Sen. John P. Burke (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick) and Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston) will increase the minimum wage to $17 by 2027. Senator Quezada also introduced similar legislation (2025-S 0310) to increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage, which RIBLIA championed.
Later this summer the caucus will also release its annual legislative report on the 2025 session, outlining their priorities, accomplishments and future priorities in detail.
The RIBLIA Caucus represents and advocates for the interests of people of color throughout the state of Rhode Island. Through legislative advocacy and community engagement, the RIBLIA Caucus is dedicated to building a more inclusive and representative government that reflects the diversity of Rhode Island residents.
In addition to Senator Mack and Representative Morales, the caucus includes Representatives Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown), Alzate, José F. Batista (D-Dist. 12, Providence), Nathan W. Biah (D-Dist. 3, Providence), Cherie L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket), Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence), Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket), Jenni A. Furtado (D-Dist. 64, East Providence, Pawtucket), Giraldo, Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence), Ramon A. Perez (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston), Enrique George Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence) and Stewart, and Senators Acosta, Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket), Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly), Quezada, Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) and Vargas.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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