AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MICROPLASTICS REDUCTION ACT (Creates the Microplastics Reduction Act to prohibit the sale or distribution of products containing synthetic polymer micro particles.)

S2534

2026 -- S 2534
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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MICROPLASTICS REDUCTION ACT

Introduced By:
Senators Vargas, and Murray

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Environment & Agriculture
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. The general assembly hereby makes the following findings of fact:
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(1) Microplastic pollution is a growing water quality concern for inland and coastal
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waterbodies throughout the state, and globally;
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(2) The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimates that, left
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unchecked, plastic production is expected to triple by 2060;
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(3) Research from the University of Rhode Island finds there is now roughly one thousand
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(1,000) tons of microplastic in the bottom sediment in Narragansett Bay, with the amount of
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microplastic entering the Bay increasing in recent years;
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(4) Microplastics are known to enter the body by way of direct contact, ingestion through
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food and tap water, and inhalation;
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(5) More information is needed to identify the sources of microplastics in the environment.
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SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 19.20
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MICROPLASTICS REDUCTION ACT
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23-19.20-1. Short title.
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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Microplastics Reduction Act".
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23-19.20-2. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:

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(1) “Department” means the department of environmental management.
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(2) "Intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles" means synthetic polymer
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microplastics that a manufacturer has added to a product to confer a sought-after characteristic, in
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mixtures in a concentration equal to or greater than one one-hundredth percent (0.01%) by weight.
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(3) "Manufacturer" means the person that manufactures a product or whose brand name is
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affixed to the product. In the case of a product imported into the United States, "manufacturer"
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includes the importer or first domestic distributor of the product if the person that manufactured or
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assembled the product or whose brand name is affixed to the product does not have a presence in
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the United States.
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(4) "Microplastics" means synthetic polymer microparticles that have been added to a
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product or is an intentional or unintentional breakdown product of a consumer or industrial product
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or process.
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(5) "Particle" means a minute piece of matter, other than single molecules, with defined
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physical boundaries.
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(6) "Plastic" means a polymer that is solid or semi-solid; the term "plastic" excludes
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polymers that are the result of a polymerization process that has taken place in nature,
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independently of the process through which they have been extracted, which are not chemically
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modified substances.
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(7) "Product" means an item manufactured, assembled, packaged or otherwise prepared for
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sale to consumers, including its product components, sold or distributed for personal, residential,
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commercial or industrial use, including for use in making other products. Product does not mean
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used products offered for sale or resale.
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(8) "Solid" means a substance or mixture other than a liquid or gas.
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(9) "Synthetic polymer microparticles" means polymers that are solid and which fulfill both
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of the following conditions:
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(i) Are contained in particles and constitute at least one percent (1%) by weight of those
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particles; or build a continuous surface coating on particles;
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(ii) At least one percent (1%) by weight of the particles fulfill either of the following
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conditions:
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(A) All dimensions of the particles are equal to or less than five millimeters (5mm);
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(B) The length of the particles is equal to or less than fifteen millimeters (15mm) and the
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particle's length is greater than three (3) times the diameter;
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(iii) "Synthetic polymer microparticles" does not include:
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(A) Polymers that are the result of a polymerization process that has taken place in nature

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and not as a result of human intervention, independently of the process through which they have
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been extracted, which are not chemically modified substances.
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23-19.20-3. Elimination of microplastics.
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(a) Beginning January 1, 2030, a manufacturer shall not sell, offer for sale or distribute into
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the commerce of this state any product containing intentionally added synthetic polymer
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microparticles.
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(b) The requirements in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to products that are
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preempted from regulation by federal law.
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23-19.20-4. Microplastics testing plan and strategy plan.
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(a) The department shall, in consultation with the department of health, develop a
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microplastics testing plan to determine if or when to regularly test water, soil and other
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environmental media as appropriate for the presence of microplastics, including, but not limited to,
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microplastics that have been shed from vehicle tires.
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(1) The microplastics testing plan shall describe analytical methods available that are
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consistent with the best available science.
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(2) The microplastics testing plan shall be made public no later than July 1, 2029. The
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department shall update the microplastics testing plan every twenty-four (24) months following the
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initial publication.
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(b) No later than January 1, 2030, the department shall, in consultation with the department
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of health, adopt and publish a statewide microplastics strategy plan that shall include, but not be
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limited to, the following:
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(1) The characterization of ambient concentrations of microplastics in environmental
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media and an assessment of the environmental and health impacts associated with microplastic
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contamination using the best available preexisting scientific research;
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(2) An investigation of the sources and relative importance of pathways associated with the
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environmental impacts of microplastics determined to be significant pursuant subsection (b)(1) of
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this section;
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(3) A summary of existing scientific research on approaches for reducing the introduction
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of microplastics into environmental media from significant pathways of exposure, with an emphasis
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on the sizes, shapes, and types of microplastics that are associated with significant environmental
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impacts; and
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(4) Recommendations for policy changes, including statutory changes, or additional
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research that may be needed to reduce or eliminate the presence of microplastics in environmental
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media.

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(c) In developing and implementing the statewide microplastics strategy plan, the
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department may utilize existing information and leverage ongoing efforts, where possible.
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(d) The department shall update the microplastics strategy plan every twenty-four (24)
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months following the initial publication.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MICROPLASTICS REDUCTION ACT
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This act would prohibit a manufacturer from selling, offering for sale, or distributing into
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commerce any product containing synthetic polymer micro particles, beginning January 1, 2030,
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would call for the adoption of microplastics testing plan of water, soil, and other environmental
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media for the presence of microplastics, and would adopt a statewide microplastics strategy plan.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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