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7/9/2025
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New law to provide state contractors with list of minority- and women-owned businesses
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STATE HOUSE — A new law sponsored by Sen. Lammis J. Vargas and Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo will ensure that all contractors of state-funded public construction projects are provided a list of minority- and women-owned businesses to help them comply with minority and women-owned enterprise contracting requirements.
The legislation, which was approved by lawmakers June 18 and signed into law June 24, was a priority of the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific Islander caucus this year.
The bill (2025-H 5684, 2025-S 0311), which took effect immediately, requires the Department of Administration to provide a list of certified minority- and women-owned business enterprises to each prospective contractor of a state-funded construction project, and would prohibit the issuance of a waiver from this requirement until the contractor received assistance from the department.
“This legislation is an important milestone for equitable procurement by expanding opportunities for historically excluded business owners. By promoting exposure to minority and women-owned businesses, we also promote transparency and accountability in the construction process,” said Representative Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls).
Said Senator Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence), “Rhode Island has, for years, required that minority- and women-owned companies be represented in the contracts we award. But even in a state as small as Rhode Island, it isn’t easy for small companies to get the word out that they are minority- or women-owned and are available for subcontracting. Providing a list of the companies that are certified as being women- or minority-owned makes it easier for contractors to fulfill this requirement and gives small companies a boost toward being selected for work on state-funded projects. This list will help ensure the success of the minority and women business enterprise requirement for state contracts.”
Ellijah McLean, manager of government relations and policy for United Way Rhode Island, testified in favor of the legislation, saying, “As highlighted in a 2023 Brookings Institution report, Black- and Latino-owned businesses are significantly underrepresented in public contracting, receiving less than 2% of federal procurement dollars nationally, despite representing a much larger share of the population and small business sector. Rhode Island must continue to lead with policies that correct these imbalances. Strengthening supports for MWBEs ensures that public investments generate shared economic prosperity across all communities.”
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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