Rhode Island 2026 Session Status: In Committee 10 D cosponsors

HB 7689 — AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM

Last action — 05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 11, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    10 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (10 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill allows lawful permanent residents to receive benefits and increases cash assistance to the federal poverty level.

This legislation amends the Rhode Island Works Program by eliminating the waiting period for lawful permanent residents to receive benefits. Additionally, it raises the monthly cash benefit to match 100% of the federal poverty level starting July 1, 2026.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families can gain quicker access to support and enhanced cash benefits.

Summary

Amends the Rhode Island works program to allow lawful permanent residents to receive benefits without a waiting period and increases the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

Compared against the R.I. General Laws as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing law to clarify and update the individual employment plan requirements and eligibility for cash assistance under the Rhode Island Works Program.

  • § 40-5.2-10 (a)

    The individual employment plan shall specify the participant’s work activity(ies) and the supportive services that will be provided by the department to enable the participant to engage in the work activity(ies). → The individual employment plan must include the provision for the participant to engage in work requirements as outlined in § 40-5.2-12.

    This change emphasizes the necessity for participants to engage in work requirements as part of their employment plan.

  • § 40-5.2-10 (e)(2)

    individual employment plan on a voluntary basis, however, the individual remains subject to the same program compliance requirements as a participant without a temporary exemption. → intensive employment services. Intensive employment services shall be defined as the work requirement activities in § 40-5.2-12(g) and (i).

    This modification clarifies that participants must engage in intensive employment services as a condition of their employment plan.

  • § 40-5.2-10 (f) (6)(i)

    temporary exempt from this requirement in accordance with this chapter. → the first step in the individual employment plan, unless temporarily exempt from this requirement in accordance with this chapter.

    This adjustment reinforces the requirement for immediate participation in employment services unless specifically exempted.

  • § 40-5.2-10 (e)(7)

    The individual employment plan must include the provision for the participant to engage in work requirements as outlined in § 40-5.2-12.

    This reinforces the earlier requirement for participants to adhere to employment work requirements.

  • § 40-5.2-10

    (1) A participant shall attend and participate immediately in intensive assessment and employment services as the first step in the individual employment plan, unless temporarily exempt from this requirement in accordance with this chapter. Intensive assessment and employment services shall be defined as the work requirement activities in § 40-5.2-12(g) and (i).

    The bill mandates immediate participation in intensive assessment and employment services.

Action History

  1. 05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 05/08/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/14/2026)

  3. 03/05/2026 Committee transferred to House Finance

  4. 03/04/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  5. 02/27/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/04/2026)

  6. 02/27/2026 Committee transferred to House Judiciary

  7. 02/11/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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10 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 104 not signed on

Sponsors (10)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (104)

104 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights healthcare labor
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 7689 do?
Amends the Rhode Island works program to allow lawful permanent residents to receive benefits without a waiting period and increases the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026.
Who sponsors HB 7689?
HB 7689 is sponsored by Cherie L. Cruz (Democratic), Edith H. Ajello (Democratic), Joshua J. Giraldo (Democratic), Justine A. Caldwell (Democratic), Katherine S. Kazarian (Democratic), Rebecca M. Kislak (Democratic), Scott A. Slater (Democratic), Karen Alzate (Democratic), Jennifer A. Stewart (Democratic), and Arthur Handy (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 7689?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced February 11, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 7689?
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