Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8504: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Changes the definition of employee to include individ
Status: Signed into law, June 10, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Changes the definition of employee to include individuals employed in the domestic service of any person.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 1, 2026:
2026 -- H 8504 ======== LC006242 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Tanzi, Cruz, Stewart, Alzate, Diaz, Morales, and J. Lombardi Date Introduced: May 01, 2026 Referred To: House Labor It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Section 28-5-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-5 entitled "Fair Employment Practices" is hereby amended to read as follows: 28-5-6. Definitions. When used in this chapter: (1) "Age" means anyone who is at least forty (40) years of age. (2) "Because of sex" or "on the basis of sex" includes, but is not limited to, because of or on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, and women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all employment related purposes, including receipt of benefits under fringe benefit programs, as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work, and nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to permit otherwise. (3) "Commission" means the Rhode Island commission against discrimination created by this chapter. (4) "Confidential" means to remain secret and not to be disclosed to another person or entity. (5) "Conviction" means, for the purposes of this …
Sponsors
- Leonela Felix (D, HD-061) · primary sponsor
- Teresa Tanzi (D, HD-034)
- Cherie Cruz (D, HD-058)
- Jennifer Stewart (D, HD-059)
- Karen Alzate (D, HD-060)
- Grace Diaz (D)
- David Morales (D, HD-007)
- John Lombardi (D, HD-008)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed in concurrence
- : Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
- : House read and passed
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
Votes
- House Seq #245: PASSAGE (June 3, 2026): 60 yea, 9 nay, passed
- House Committee on Labor: Passage (May 28, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS
Common questions
- What is H8504?
- H8504 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Changes the definition of employee to include individ.
- What does H8504 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Changes the definition of employee to include individuals employed in the domestic service of any person.)
- What is the status of H8504?
- Signed into law as of June 10, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8504?
- Leonela Felix (D, HD-061), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8504?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8504.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.