Benefit Programs
Browse Rhode Island bills in Benefit Programs with plain-language AI summaries.
Recent Bills
44 billsS3312MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $4,800,000 TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) EAT WELL, BE WELL REWARDS PROGRAMBenefit ProgramsAppropriates $4.8 million to the SNAP Eat Well, Be Well Rewards Program to provide low-income households with extra funds for fruits and vegetables.SenateReferred to House FinanceMay 22, 2026S3296PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PENSION REVOCATION AND REDUCTION ACTBenefit ProgramsThis bill allows the state to revoke the pensions of public employees who commit certain felonies using their official position.SenateSigned by GovernorMay 15, 2026H8475BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALSBenefit ProgramsThis bill allows siblings and other approved relatives to receive financial aid to care for deinstitutionalized family members.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyApr 17, 2026H8407PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTION AND BENEFITSBenefit ProgramsThis bill removes the $25,000 yearly earnings limit for retired state employees working part-time at state colleges.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyApr 3, 2026H8402AHUMAN SERVICES -- PERMANENT JOINT STUDY COMMISSION ON AGING AND MULTI-SECTOR PLAN ON AGINGBenefit ProgramsThis bill creates a permanent state commission to develop and oversee a long-term plan for Rhode Island's aging population.HouseReferred to Senate Health and Human ServicesApr 3, 2026H8353STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- STATE POLICEBenefit ProgramsThis bill lowers the pension funding threshold required to reinstate cost-of-living adjustments for retired State Police from 80% to 75%.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 25, 2026S2843PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE -- UNCLAIMED INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE PROPERTYBenefit ProgramsMandates using unclaimed property revenue to fund $3,000 deposits into baby bond trust accounts for eligible newborns.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 4, 2026S2987STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESBenefit ProgramsThis bill prevents the state from taking money from disability savings accounts after the owner dies to pay back benefits.SenateReferred to House FinanceMar 4, 2026S2835PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- ADMINISTRATIONBenefit ProgramsThis bill changes the pension calculation for state and municipal workers to use their best three salary years instead of five.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 4, 2026S2818PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITSBenefit ProgramsThis bill restores annual cost-of-living pay increases for retired state workers, teachers, and municipal employees starting in 2026.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 4, 2026S2839PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITSBenefit ProgramsThis bill allows correctional officers to combine time worked in other state jobs or teaching to qualify for retirement sooner.SenateReferred to House CorporationsMar 4, 2026S2828AaaHUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAMBenefit ProgramsThis bill increases the amount of child support families on state cash assistance can keep without reducing their benefits.SenateProposed SubstituteMar 4, 2026H8220HUMAN SERVICES -- HOMELESSNESS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMBenefit ProgramsCreates a pilot program offering paid community cleanup jobs and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 3, 2026H8184STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESBenefit ProgramsProhibits the state from seizing funds in a disabled person's ABLE savings account to repay benefits after they die.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 27, 2026H7995STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE OFFICE OF THE ELDER ADVOCATEBenefit ProgramsEstablishes a state Office of the Elder Advocate to provide legal representation and protect the rights of Rhode Islanders over sixty.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 27, 2026H8147PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITSBenefit ProgramsRestores annual cost-of-living raises for retired state workers, teachers, and municipal employees starting in 2026, capped at 3%.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 27, 2026S2621HUMAN SERVICES -- HOMELESSNESS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMBenefit ProgramsThis bill creates a pilot program hiring homeless individuals for temporary community cleanup jobs while connecting them to support services.SenateIntroduced, referred to Senate Labor and GamingFeb 13, 2026S2554STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE MEDICAID REENTRY ACTBenefit ProgramsThis bill keeps Medicaid active for people entering and leaving prison to ensure healthcare access immediately upon release.SenateIntroduced, referred to Senate FinanceFeb 13, 2026S2545PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITSBenefit ProgramsThis bill adds several specific job titles within the Department of Corrections to the list of employees eligible for correctional officer retirement benefits.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 13, 2026H7806PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITSBenefit ProgramsAllows retired state and municipal workers to take jobs with Rhode Island municipalities without suspending their pension benefits.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 12, 2026H7689HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAMBenefit ProgramsStarting July 2026, this bill raises cash assistance to the federal poverty level and increases allowable child support income.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 11, 2026H7631PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MEDICARE ENROLLMENTBenefit ProgramsEliminates asset limits when determining eligibility for state programs that assist residents with Medicare costs.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 11, 2026H7684PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITSBenefit ProgramsThis bill allows correctional officers to count prior service as a teacher or state employee toward their retirement eligibility.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 11, 2026H7685PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITSBenefit ProgramsThis bill delays the start date for improved retirement benefits for state law enforcement professionals from 2025 to 2027.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 11, 2026