2026 RI Legislative Round-Up

As the 2026 legislative session moves along, a lot is happening at the State House that could affect how people live, age, and get the supports they need. Take a look at the bills now in play—from healthcare and housing to transportation, voting, and long‑term care—and see what lawmakers are considering this year and how it could show up in everyday life across Rhode Island.

Voting

Accessible Electronic Ballots for Disabled Voters

Allows voters with disabilities and military voters to cast ballots electronically, improving access and independence in voting.

Disability Parking

Additional Disability Parking Placard

Allows people with disabilities to receive up to two disability parking placards instead of one.

Adaptive Vehicle License Plates

Creates a special license plate to better accommodate adaptive vehicles.

Disability Parking Enforcement & Oversight

Requires the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities to be involved in the disability parking enforcement enhancement program and receive annual reports.

Disability Parking Enforcement App

Allows people with disabilities to receive up to two disability parking placards instead of one.

Free Parking at State Facilities

Extends free parking at state owned/operated recreational facilities to include people who have been determined eligible for Medicaid on the basis of disability.

Healthcare & Medical Coverage

Medicaid Billing by Licensed Clinical Social Workers

Allows licensed independent clinical social workers to bill Medicaid directly for services provided to adults.

Coverage for Diabetes Emergency Medication

Requires health plans to cover at least one ready‑to‑use glucagon product with no copay or deductible.

Telemedicine Expansion

Expands telehealth by allowing certain out‑of‑state providers when clinically appropriate.

Community‑Based Care

Creates a program for eligible individuals to receive in-home medical services instead of hospital care.

AI‑Driven Coverage Decisions

Requires health insurers to disclose and regulate how artificial intelligence is used to make coverage and claims decisions.

Diabetes Supplies Copay Cap

Caps co-pays at $25 for a 30-day supply of equipment/supplies to administer insulin or monitor blood sugar (glucose) levels, or per item for equipment intended to last more than 30 days.

Price Gouging Prescription Drugs

Makes it a felony to price gouge prescriptions during a relevant shortage.

In-Home Foot Care

Allows a certified foot care nurse or specialist to provide certain routine, in-home care.

Compassionate Care Act

Establishes a process for terminally ill patients to end their life using medications prescribed by a physician.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment

No Prior Authorization for Addiction Medications

Prohibits insurance companies from requiring reviews or prior authorization for medications used to treat opioid or alcohol use disorder.

No Copay for Buprenorphine

Requires insurers to cover buprenorphine for opioid use disorder at no cost.

Medication‑Assisted Treatment in Correctional Facilities

Establishes a program to provide medication‑assisted treatment for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder.

Tax Credits & Financial Relief Related to Disability

Property Tax Relief

Increases income eligibility limits and the maximum tax credit for homeowners and renters who are aging or disabled.

Property Tax Credit for Barrington Residents Who are Blind

Allows Barrington to provide a property tax credit to legally blind residents.

Tax-Free Medical Wigs

Exempts wigs and hair prostheses from sales tax when needed due to medical hair loss.

Family Caregiver Tax Credit

Creates a tax credit for people who incur expenses caring for an eligible relative.

Expanded BHDDH Deinstitutionalization Subsidy

Extends financial assistance to adoptive parents or siblings who assume care care of an individual with I/DD transitioning out of an institutional setting.

Accessible Communities & Public Services

Public Transit Funding

Directs 20% of highway maintenance funds to RIPTA.

Utility Shutoff Protections

Extends protections against utility shutoffs for people who are disabled or seriously ill.

Translation at Open Meetings

Requires public bodies to provide translation services at open meetings when requested in advance.

Self-Service Grocery Checkouts

Limits the number of self-service checkout stations that a grocery store can operate relative to checkouts operated by a cashier.

Housing

Homeless Shelter Standards

Creates a commission to establish shelter standards and prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

Service and Emotional Support Animals in Housing

Clarifies that tenants with disabilities may keep service or emotional support animals in rental housing.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning

Allows towns to update zoning regulations to do any of the following: required the residence to which the ADUs attached to be owner-occupied for at least five years; require ADUs not occupied by a family member or caretaker to be rented at affordable rates; cap the size of ADUs at 1000 ft².

Education & Children

Transition Planning for Students with 504 Plans

Requires transition planning for high school students who have a 504 plan, equitable to requirements for students with IEPs.

School Opt-Out on State Education Mandates

Allows a school district to decline funding for state-mandated services, including some special education services, that are not fully funded by the State.

Hospitals & Long‑Term Care Facilities

Long‑Term Care Ombudsman Funding

Increases funding to meet increased demand for monitoring service quality and investigating complaints at nursing homes and other care facilities.

Personal Needs Allowance

Increases the amount of benefits that a person in a nursing facility can keep for personal needs, from $75 to $100 per month.

Hospital Safe Staffing Ratios

Creates a legislative commission to study hospital staffing levels and make recommendations to improve patient safety and care quality.