Bills affecting Person with a disability in Rhode Island — 2026 session

Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2028-2029, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.

Expands the benefit definitions to include a grandchild and care recipient and increases benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and 12 weeks for 2028 and provides a TDI/TCI opt-in option for self-employed workers.

Prohibits the imposition of fees associated with home modifications that are specifically required to accommodate a veteran’s disability.

Provides that Rhode Island state employees be eligible for temporary disability insurance effective January 1, 2027.

Allows persons with disabilities to receive up to two (2) motor vehicle disability parking privilege placards.

Includes the governor's commission on disabilities in the decision making process for the disability parking enforcement enhancement program and requires an annual report be submitted to the governor's commission.

Redefines dyslexia to mean a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that involve accuracy, speed, or both and vary depending on the orthography.

Requires that any private short-term disability insurance (STDI) carrier that bids to provide coverage to Rhode Island state employees must cover all eligible employees, regardless of age.

Prohibits a landlord from removing a tenant from any housing accommodation, or attempt such removal or exclusion from possession.

Updates disability parking space signage and enables municipalities to participate in the parking mobility app program where individuals submit photos on the app of vehicles parked in spaces designated for individuals with disabilities.

Enables employees to no longer have to utilize sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave or other paid time off as a condition to their maternity leave.

Prohibits unilateral modification of healthcare provider contracts.

Requires schools to implement a plan to provide academic accommodation for a student who has been diagnosed with a concussion or other brain injury.

Allows private employees at nursing homes, developmental disability and home care providers whose salaries are 90% funded with federal or state monies to be eligible to opt into the state healthcare plan.

Includes veterans 75 years or older with a combined service connected disability rating of 70% as eligible for disabled veterans license plates.

Allows a tenant with a disability who needs a service animal or an emotional support animal to house the animal on the rented premises.

Prohibits the use of genetic information for purposes of determining eligibility, setting premium rates, or imposing preexisting condition exclusions for life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance.

Establishes a new high-cost special education fund to pool resources and generates income to support excess costs associated with providing services to special education students.

Adds a representative of an aging adult organization and a member of a statewide disability advocacy organization who is sixty (60) years of age or older to the state planning council.

Creates an exemption from property taxes in the amount of $5,000 for any veteran of the military or naval service of the United States who is to be totally disabled through a service-connected disability in the town of Exeter.