Rhode Island Lawmakers Pass 3 Employer Laws, Drop AI and Bullying Bills
Updated
Updated · The National Law Review · Jun 25
Rhode Island Lawmakers Pass 3 Employer Laws, Drop AI and Bullying Bills
2 articles · Updated · The National Law Review · Jun 25
Summary
June 11 ended Rhode Island’s 2026 session with lawmakers approving three employer-focused measures while letting proposals on workplace AI, electronic monitoring, bullying and caregiver leave die in the House.
January 1, 2027 brings two of the new rules: grocery stores must keep 1 manual checkout open for every 3 self-checkout stations, and warehouse employers must disclose quotas and cannot set targets that block breaks or bathroom use.
June 10 already expanded the state Fair Employment Practices Act to cover domestic workers, extending anti-discrimination protections after Rhode Island added them to minimum-wage law in 2024.
Senate-backed bills still failed to advance in the House, including an AI workplace framework tied to monitored employment decisions and a caregiver-leave expansion from 8 weeks to 10 in 2027 and 12 in 2028.