AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Provides a definition for antisemitism to be used by state agencies to evaluate whether discrimination is present.)

H7497

2026 -- H 7497
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LC004410
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Introduced By:
Representatives Ackerman, McNamara, Edwards, Kazarian, Finkelman,
Kennedy, Dawson, Chippendale, and Shekarchi

Date Introduced:
February 04, 2026

Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 28-5 of the General Laws entitled "Fair Employment Practices" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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28-5-7.5. Addressing antisemitic discrimination.

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(a) As used in this section the term:
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(1) "Antisemitism" has the same meaning as provided for in the working definition of
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antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on May 26,
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2016, including the "contemporary examples of antisemitism," and as incorporated by reference in
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Presidential Executive Order Number 13899, 84 F.R. 68779 December 11, 2019. Discriminatory
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practices based upon race, religion, and country of ancestral origin shall include acts of
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antisemitism throughout the Rhode Island general laws.
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(2) "Government" means and includes a branch, department, agency, instrumentality,
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political subdivision, official, or other person acting under color of state law.
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(3) "State law" means and includes without limitation a state law or ordinance of a political
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subdivision.
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(b) In reviewing, investigating, or determining whether there has been a violation of any
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relevant policy, law, or rule prohibiting discriminatory acts, the government shall take into
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consideration the definition of "antisemitism" in this section for purposes of determining whether
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the alleged act was motivated by discriminatory antisemitic intent.
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(c) A court or other relevant authority shall apply the same legal standard to a claim of

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discrimination because of antisemitism as applicable to claims of discrimination arising under state
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laws protecting civil rights.
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(d) For the purposes of training of state personnel related to discrimination and anti-bias
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training, the definition of "antisemitism" contained in this section shall be used as an educational
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tool to familiarize state officials with identifying and addressing antisemitism.
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(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
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(1) Diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the United
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States Constitution or the Rhode Island Constitution; or
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(2) Conflict with federal law or state law concerning discrimination.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
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This act would provide a definition for antisemitism to be used by state agencies to evaluate
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whether discrimination is present.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004410
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