HB 5506 — AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT -- EMPLOYEE FREE SPEECH RIGHTS
Last action — 07/02/2025 Signed by Governor
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 13, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Dan McKee (Democratic) on July 02, 2025.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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7 sponsors
7 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (6 D).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Summary
Protects the rights of employees in the workplace relating to free speech, assembly and religion, as well as attendance at employer-sponsored meetings regarding political or religious matters.
Bill Text
We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.
Read HB 5506 on the official Rhode Island source →Action History
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07/02/2025 Signed by Governor
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06/27/2025 Transmitted to Governor
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06/20/2025 Senate passed Sub A in concurrence
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06/18/2025 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)
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06/18/2025 House passed Sub A
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06/16/2025 Placed on House Calendar (06/18/2025)
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06/16/2025 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
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06/13/2025 Proposed Substitute
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06/13/2025 Scheduled for consideration (06/16/2025)
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04/02/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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03/28/2025 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/02/2025)
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02/13/2025 Introduced, referred to House Labor
Sponsors
- Brandon C. Potter · Primary
- Arthur J. Corvese · Primary
- Alex Finkelman · Primary
- Matt S. Dawson · Primary
- Evan P. Shanley · Primary
- O'Brien · Primary
- Sr. Robert E. Craven · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →7 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 107 not signed on · 4 voted No
Sponsors (7)
- Brandon C. Potter Democratic
- Arthur J. Corvese Democratic
- Alex Finkelman Democratic
- Matt S. Dawson Democratic
- Evan P. Shanley Democratic
- O'Brien
- Robert E. Craven, Sr. Democratic
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (107)
107 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 107 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 59 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 71 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 95% | 3% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (75)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| O'Brien | — | Yea |
| ShallcrossSmith | — | Yea |
| Alex Finkelman | Democratic | Yea |
| Alex Marszalkowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony J. DeSimone | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur Handy | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur J. Corvese | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon C. Potter | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon T. Voas | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Patrick Kennedy | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Hagan McEntee | Democratic | Yea |
| Charlene M. Lima | Democratic | Yea |
| Cherie L. Cruz | Democratic | Yea |
| Christopher R. Blazejewski | Democratic | Yea |
| David A. Bennett | Democratic | Yea |
| David Morales | Democratic | Yea |
| Deborah A. Fellela | Democratic | Yea |
| Earl A. Read, III | Democratic | Yea |
| Edith H. Ajello | Democratic | Yea |
| Enrique George Sanchez | Democratic | Yea |
| Evan P. Shanley | Democratic | Yea |
| Grace Diaz | Democratic | Yea |
| Gregory J. Costantino | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacquelyn M. Baginski | Democratic | Yea |
| Jason Knight | Democratic | Yea |
| Jenni A. Furtado | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer A. Stewart | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer Smith Boylan | Democratic | Yea |
| John G. Edwards | Democratic | Not Voting |
| John J. Lombardi | Democratic | Yea |
| Jose F. Batista | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph M. McNamara | Democratic | Yea |
| Joshua J. Giraldo | Democratic | Yea |
| Julie A. Casimiro | Democratic | Yea |
| June Speakman | Democratic | Yea |
| Justine A. Caldwell | Democratic | Yea |
| Karen Alzate | Democratic | Yea |
| Katherine S. Kazarian | Democratic | Yea |
| Kathleen A. Fogarty | Democratic | Yea |
| Lauren H. Carson | Democratic | Yea |
| Leonela Felix | Democratic | Yea |
| Marvin L. Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Mary Duffy Messier | Democratic | Yea |
| Matt S. Dawson | Democratic | Yea |
| Megan L. Cotter | Democratic | Yea |
| Mia A. Ackerman | Democratic | Yea |
| Michelle E. McGaw | Democratic | Yea |
| Nathan W. Biah | Democratic | Yea |
| Patricia A. Serpa | Democratic | Yea |
| Ramon A. Perez | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Raymond A. Hull | Democratic | Yea |
| Rebecca M. Kislak | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert D. Phillips | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert E. Craven, Sr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel A. Azzinaro | Democratic | Yea |
| Scott A. Slater | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephen M. Casey | Democratic | Yea |
| Susan R. Donovan | Democratic | Yea |
| Teresa Ann Tanzi | Democratic | Yea |
| Terri Cortvriend | Democratic | Yea |
| Thomas E. Noret | Democratic | Yea |
| Tina L. Spears | Democratic | Yea |
| Jon D. Brien | Independent | Yea |
| Brian C. Newberry | Republican | Yea |
| Christopher G. Paplauskas | Republican | Yea |
| David J. Place | Republican | Nay |
| George A Nardone | Republican | Yea |
| Marie A. Hopkins | Republican | Yea |
| Michael W. Chippendale | Republican | Nay |
| Paul M. Santucci | Republican | Yea |
| Richard R. Fascia | Republican | Yea |
| Robert J. Quattrocchi | Republican | Yea |
| Sherry Roberts | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 47 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 62 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| % of votes cast | 83% | 0% | 0% | 17% |
How each member voted (75)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Cardillo | — | Yea |
| Cruz | — | Yea |
| Fenton-Fung | — | Yea |
| Henries | — | Yea |
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| O'Brien | — | Not Voting |
| Rea | — | Yea |
| ShallcrossSmith | — | Yea |
| Vella-Wilkinson | — | Yea |
| Alex Finkelman | Democratic | Yea |
| Alex Marszalkowski | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Anthony J. DeSimone | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur Handy | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur J. Corvese | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon C. Potter | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon T. Voas | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Patrick Kennedy | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Hagan McEntee | Democratic | Yea |
| Charlene M. Lima | Democratic | Yea |
| Christopher R. Blazejewski | Democratic | Yea |
| David A. Bennett | Democratic | Yea |
| David Morales | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Deborah A. Fellela | Democratic | Yea |
| Edith H. Ajello | Democratic | Yea |
| Enrique George Sanchez | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Evan P. Shanley | Democratic | Yea |
| Grace Diaz | Democratic | Yea |
| Gregory J. Costantino | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacquelyn M. Baginski | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Jason Knight | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer A. Stewart | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Jennifer Smith Boylan | Democratic | Yea |
| John G. Edwards | Democratic | Yea |
| John J. Lombardi | Democratic | Yea |
| Jose F. Batista | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Joseph M. McNamara | Democratic | Yea |
| Joshua J. Giraldo | Democratic | Yea |
| Julie A. Casimiro | Democratic | Yea |
| June Speakman | Democratic | Yea |
| Justine A. Caldwell | Democratic | Yea |
| Karen Alzate | Democratic | Yea |
| Katherine S. Kazarian | Democratic | Yea |
| Kathleen A. Fogarty | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Lauren H. Carson | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Leonela Felix | Democratic | Yea |
| Marvin L. Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Mary Duffy Messier | Democratic | Yea |
| Matt S. Dawson | Democratic | Yea |
| Megan L. Cotter | Democratic | Yea |
| Mia A. Ackerman | Democratic | Yea |
| Michelle E. McGaw | Democratic | Yea |
| Nathan W. Biah | Democratic | Yea |
| Patricia A. Serpa | Democratic | Yea |
| Ramon A. Perez | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Raymond A. Hull | Democratic | Yea |
| Rebecca M. Kislak | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert D. Phillips | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert E. Craven, Sr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel A. Azzinaro | Democratic | Yea |
| Scott A. Slater | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Stephen M. Casey | Democratic | Yea |
| Susan R. Donovan | Democratic | Yea |
| Teresa Ann Tanzi | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Terri Cortvriend | Democratic | Yea |
| Thomas E. Noret | Democratic | Yea |
| Tina L. Spears | Democratic | Yea |
| Jon D. Brien | Independent | Yea |
| Brian C. Newberry | Republican | Yea |
| David J. Place | Republican | Yea |
| Elaine J. Morgan | Republican | Yea |
| George A Nardone | Republican | Yea |
| Michael W. Chippendale | Republican | Yea |
| Robert J. Quattrocchi | Republican | Yea |
| Sherry Roberts | Republican | Not Voting |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 41 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Unaffiliated | 16 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Republican | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 64 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| % of votes cast | 85% | 3% | 0% | 12% |
How each member voted (75)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Amore | — | Yea |
| Barros | — | Not Voting |
| Cardillo | — | Yea |
| Cassar | — | Yea |
| Fenton-Fung | — | Not Voting |
| Filippi | — | Yea |
| Hawkins | — | Yea |
| Henries | — | Yea |
| McLaughlin | — | Yea |
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| O'Brien | — | Yea |
| Price | — | Yea |
| Ranglin-Vassell | — | Not Voting |
| Ruggiero | — | Yea |
| ShallcrossSmith | — | Yea |
| Tobon | — | Yea |
| Vella-Wilkinson | — | Yea |
| Williams | — | Yea |
| Lima S | — | Yea |
| Alex Marszalkowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur Handy | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur J. Corvese | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon C. Potter | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Patrick Kennedy | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Hagan McEntee | Democratic | Yea |
| Charlene M. Lima | Democratic | Yea |
| Christopher R. Blazejewski | Democratic | Yea |
| David A. Bennett | Democratic | Nay |
| David Morales | Democratic | Yea |
| Deborah A. Fellela | Democratic | Yea |
| Edith H. Ajello | Democratic | Yea |
| Evan P. Shanley | Democratic | Yea |
| Grace Diaz | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Gregory J. Costantino | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacquelyn M. Baginski | Democratic | Yea |
| Jason Knight | Democratic | Yea |
| John G. Edwards | Democratic | Nay |
| John J. Lombardi | Democratic | Yea |
| Jose F. Batista | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph M. McNamara | Democratic | Yea |
| Joshua J. Giraldo | Democratic | Yea |
| Julie A. Casimiro | Democratic | Not Voting |
| June Speakman | Democratic | Yea |
| Justine A. Caldwell | Democratic | Yea |
| Karen Alzate | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Katherine S. Kazarian | Democratic | Yea |
| Kathleen A. Fogarty | Democratic | Yea |
| Lauren H. Carson | Democratic | Yea |
| Leonela Felix | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Marvin L. Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Mary Duffy Messier | Democratic | Yea |
| Mia A. Ackerman | Democratic | Yea |
| Michelle E. McGaw | Democratic | Yea |
| Nathan W. Biah | Democratic | Yea |
| Patricia A. Serpa | Democratic | Yea |
| Ramon A. Perez | Democratic | Yea |
| Raymond A. Hull | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Rebecca M. Kislak | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert D. Phillips | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert E. Craven, Sr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel A. Azzinaro | Democratic | Yea |
| Scott A. Slater | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephen M. Casey | Democratic | Yea |
| Susan R. Donovan | Democratic | Yea |
| Teresa Ann Tanzi | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Terri Cortvriend | Democratic | Yea |
| Thomas E. Noret | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian C. Newberry | Republican | Yea |
| David J. Place | Republican | Yea |
| Elaine J. Morgan | Republican | Yea |
| George A Nardone | Republican | Yea |
| Michael W. Chippendale | Republican | Yea |
| Robert J. Quattrocchi | Republican | Yea |
| Sherry Roberts | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 5506 do?
- Protects the rights of employees in the workplace relating to free speech, assembly and religion, as well as attendance at employer-sponsored meetings regarding political or religious matters.
- Who sponsors HB 5506?
- HB 5506 is sponsored by Brandon C. Potter (Democratic), Arthur J. Corvese (Democratic), Alex Finkelman (Democratic), Matt S. Dawson (Democratic), Evan P. Shanley (Democratic), O'Brien, and Robert E. Craven, Sr. (Democratic).
- What is the current status of HB 5506?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 13, 2025. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 5506?
- Track HB 5506 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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