AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY (Ensures that the State of Rhode Island adopt the protections afforded under the Occupational Safety and Health Act if its scope or enforcement capacity is diminished.)

H7969

2026 -- H 7969
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LC005489
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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 -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY

Introduced By:
Representatives Fellela, Serpa, Hull, Edwards, and Corvese

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Labor
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 28-20 of the General Laws entitled "Division of Occupational
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Safety" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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28-20-36. Workers’ rights and worker safety.

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(a) Upon a determination by the director of the department of labor and training that the
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federal government has taken action to materially diminish the scope, enforcement capacity, or
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regulatory authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, whether through repeal,
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defunding, reduction in force, rulemaking, executive order, or any other federal action that
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substantially curtails the protections afforded to workers under the Occupational Safety and Health
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Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.) and its implementing regulations, the occupational safety and
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health standards codified in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1900 through 1990,
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as in effect immediately prior to such federal action, shall be deemed adopted as the law of the
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State of Rhode Island and shall be administered and enforced by the department of labor and
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training.
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(b) The director shall promptly notify the governor, the speaker of the house of
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representatives, and the president of the senate upon making such determination. The general
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assembly shall, during the legislative session in which such determination is made or, if the general
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assembly is not in session, during the next regular session, appropriate such funds and authorize
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such additional full-time equivalent positions as are necessary to enable the department of labor

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and training to effectively administer and enforce the standards adopted pursuant to this section.
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(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the general assembly from
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subsequently amending, supplementing, or repealing any standard so adopted through the ordinary
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legislative process.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005489
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY
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This act would ensure that the State of Rhode Island adopt the protections afforded under
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the Occupational Safety and Health Act if its scope or enforcement capacity is diminished.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005489
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LC005489 - Page 3 of 3