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H8578
2026 -- H 8578
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LC006483
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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 HUMAN SERVICES -- FAMILY CAREGIVERS SUPPORT ACT OF 2013
Introduced By:
Representatives O'Brien, Dawson, Caldwell, McEntee, Corvese, Slater,
Diaz, Bennett, Kennedy, and Azzinaro
Date Introduced:
May 22, 2026
Referred To:
House Labor
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8.11 of the General Laws entitled "Family Caregivers Support
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Act of 2013" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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40-8.11-4. Family caregiver workplace protection.
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(a) It shall be unlawful and a violation of fair employment practices pursuant to the
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provisions of chapter 5 of title 28 for an employer:
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(1) To fail or refuse to hire an applicant as an employee of such employer solely because
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of the family caregiver responsibilities of the applicant;
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(2) To take adverse action against an employee of such employer or otherwise discriminate
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against an employee, with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment
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because of the family caregiver responsibilities of the employee; or
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(3) To deny a request by the family caregiver for flexible scheduling, remote work or
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adjusted hours to accommodate family caregiving therapy, medical appointments or other
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caregiving needs unless the said request causes undue hardship for the employer including, but not
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limited to, significant difficulty or expense to the employer's operation or business.
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(b) It shall be an affirmative defense to an alleged violation of subsection (a) of this section
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for a small employer of less than twenty-five (25) employees, if:
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(1) Compliance would cause undue hardship to the employer and the employer has made
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a good faith effort to comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section that could be
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implemented without causing undue hardship; or
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(2) The employer has adopted a reasonable phased plan for compliance and the alleged
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violation and conduct concerns a portion of the plan which had not been implemented at the time
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of the alleged violation.
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(c) The commission for human rights shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement
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and enforce the provisions of this section pursuant to § 28-5-13.
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(d) The commission for human rights, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 5 of title 28,
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shall conduct investigations and hearings of alleged violations and upon a finding of a violation
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may order remedies to include reinstatement, back pay, compensation for lost benefits and
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attorneys' fees.
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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 HUMAN SERVICES -- FAMILY CAREGIVERS SUPPORT ACT OF 2013
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This act would provide workplace protection for family caregivers. The act would also
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provide for enforcement and remedies through the human rights commission.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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