Rhode Island Employment and Labor Law Updates 2021


December

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


November

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


October

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


September

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


August

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


July

Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act

Bill

House Bill 6011

Summary

Provides that employers in the construction industry that are signatories to a multi-employer collective bargaining agreement shall be in compliance with the Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act, if the CBA contains specific paid sick and save leave benefits.

Enacted

07/03/2021

Effective Date

07/03/2021

Topics

Collective_bargainin; NLRA; Labor_law


Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act

Bill

Senate Bill 434

Summary

Relates to labor and labor relations; relates to Healthy and Safe Families and Workplace Act; provides that employers in the construction industry that are signatories to a multi-employer collective bargaining agreement shall be in compliance with the Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act, if the collective bargaining agreement contains specific paid sick and save leave benefits.

Enacted

07/03/2021

Effective Date

07/03/2021

Topics

Collective_bargainin; NLRA; Labor_law


Fair Employment Practices

Bill

House Bill 5261

Summary

Relates to labor and labor relations; relates to fair employment practices; provides definition; relates to wage differentials based on protected characteristics prohibited; relates to the enforcement of provisions; relates to the liability of employer; provides penalty; relates to wage history and wage range; relates to self-evaluation by employer.

Enacted

07/06/2021

Effective Date

01/01/2023

Topics

Administrative; Affirmative_defense; Attorney_fees; Civil_action; Compensatory_damages; Costs; Damages; Equitable_relief; Fines; Statute_limitations; Request; Posting_requirement; Salary_history; Self_evaluation; Wage-range; Wage_history; Applicant; Employee_40_and_over; New_employee; Age; Ancestral_origin; Color; Disability; Discrimination; Equal_pay; Gender_expression; Gender_identity; Race; Religion; Retaliation; Sex; Sexual_orientation


Fair Employment Practices

Bill

Senate Bill 270

Summary

Relates to labor and labor relations; provides definitions relating to Wage Discrimination Based on Sex; relates to wage differentials based on protected characteristics prohibited; relates to the enforcement of provisions; provides liability of employer; provides penalty; relates to wage history and wage range; relates to self-evaluation by employer.

Enacted

07/06/2021

Effective Date

01/01/2023

Topics

Administrative; Affirmative_defense; Attorney_fees; Civil_action; Compensatory_damages; Costs; Damages; Equitable_relief; Fines; Statute_limitations; Request; Posting_requirement; Salary_history; Self_evaluation; Wage-range; Wage_history; Applicant; Employee_40_and_over; New_employee; Age; Ancestral_origin; Color; Disability; Discrimination; Equal_pay; Gender_expression; Gender_identity; Race; Religion; Retaliation; Sex; Sexual_orientation


Hospital Workplace Violence Protection Act

Bill

House Bill 6018

Summary

Establishes procedures for employees to file complaints with a hospital or the director of Department of Health, for any assaultive behavior or other violation of law occurring on hospital grounds and require hospitals to institute safety training for employees.

Enacted

07/09/2021

Effective Date

01/15/2022

Topics

Notice; Committee; Recordkeeping; Workplace_violence; Hospitals; Retaliation; Health; Safety


Whistle Blowers’ Protection Act

Bill

House Bill 5855

Summary

Expands employee whistle blower protection to job applicants and prospective employees; prohibits an employer from reporting or threatening to report an employee’s immigration status because the employee engaged in whistle blowing or protected conduct; provides for a private cause of action and recovery of treble damages for violation.

Enacted

07/13/2021

Effective Date

07/13/2021

Topics

Posting_requirement; Reporting_required; Applicant; Immigration_status; Legal_work_status; Prospective_employee Whistleblower


Whistle Blowers’ Protection Act

Bill

Senate Bill 550

Summary

Expands employee whistle blower protection to job applicants and prospective employees; prohibits an employer from reporting or threatening to report an employee’s immigration status because the employee engaged in whistle blowing or protected conduct; provides for a private cause of action and recovery of treble damages for violation.

Enacted

07/13/2021

Effective Date

07/13/2021

Topics

Posting_requirement; Reporting_required; Applicant; Immigration_status; Legal_work_status; Prospective_employee Whistleblower


June

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


May

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


April

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


March

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


February

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.


January

There were no employment and/or labor bills that were enacted that were identified.