Rhode Island Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities (Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Compact): Rhode Island Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

3,075 active-duty service members
1,072 active-duty spouses
1,940 active-duty children
4,405 National Guard and reserve members
1,799 National Guard and reserve spouses
2,643 National Guard and reserve children

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2023.

Melissa Willette

New England Regional Liaison

New England Region

CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT

EMAIL

Ms. Willette became New England region liaison in 2023. Prior to joining the DLSO, she served as director of the Maine Veterans' Cemetery System, director of communications for the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, and senior legislative aide in the Maine State Legislature. Ms. Willette currently serves in the Air National Guard.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Military Family Access to Quality Family Child Care

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities7/17 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

06/13/2024SB 2173

06/11/2024HB 8219

06/25/2024

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

The Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) facilitates the interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology while maintaining public protection. The ASLP-IC offers benefits including improvement in continuity of care, portability for military spouses and enhanced access to audiology and speech-language pathology providers.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

05/23/2024SB 2183

06/12/2024HB 7141

06/25/2024

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Rhode Island became the 37th state to adopt the Counseling Compact after Gov. McKee signed HB 7141 into law. The Counseling Compact provides continuity of care, reduces regulatory burdens on licensed professionals and enhances employment access for military spouses.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

06/15/2023HB 5737

06/12/2023HB 5737

06/24/2023

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Rhode Island became a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact when Gov. Daniel McKee signed the law on June 24, 2023.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

06/13/2024HB 7945

06/12/2024HB 7945

06/25/2024

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This act would create the occupational therapy licensure compact, that would allow licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice in all states that join the compact. This act would also remove the need for practitioners to get an individual license in each state where they want to practice.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

06/14/2024HB 7213

05/07/2024HB 7213

06/25/2024

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

The Physical Therapy Compact is an agreement between member states to improve access to physical therapy services for the public by increasing the mobility of eligible physical therapy providers to work in multiple states. Rhode Island joined over 30 states with the signing of HB 7213 into law.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

06/08/2022H7501

05/19/2022S2605

06/23/2022

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

Rhode Island became the 44th state to join an interstate compact by acceding to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, which was sponsored by Senator Alana DiMario and Representative Joseph McNamara.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

05/23/2024SB 2184

06/13/2024HB 7350

06/25/2024

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This act adopted model legislation facilitating the interstate practice of regulated social workers. The compact increases public access to social work services; reduces overly burdensome and duplicative requirements associated with holding multiple licenses; promotes mobility, addresses workforce shortages and provides support to military families, particularly military spouses.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Child Abuse Identification and Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/04/2022H6617

05/05/2022S2105

06/07/2022

Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Final Legislation

Thanks to Senator Alana DiMario and Representative Julie Casimiro, local jurisdictions in Rhode Island will develop reporting and information-sharing procedures between civilian child protective services and the military's Family Advocacy Program. Chapter 47/48 of 2022 ensures Rhode Island DCYF will identify the military affiliation of a victim or suspect at the onset of an investigation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Support for Military Families With Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

Reduce Burdens

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Family Antidiscrimination Status0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment

Housing

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Recognize MPOs

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds

Military Community Representation on State Boards and Councils0/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Affairs

Nutrition and Food Security

Economic and Workforce Development

Early Childhood Education and Childcare

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

08/01/2023

Driver's License Final Legislation

All residents of Rhode Island are able to renew both their driver's licenses and vehicle registrations online, by mail, or in person. This service may be used to request a renewal of an Operator’s License, State ID, or Commercial Driver License from the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. The new License/State ID/CDL/Registration will be mailed to the mailing address on file with the DMV, and registrants have an opportunity to verify this address before completing your request. Driver's Licenses can be renewed at https://www.ri.gov/DMV/licenserenewal/ Vehicle Registrations may be renewed at https://dmv.ri.gov/registrations-plates-titles/registration/registration-renewal

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

08/01/2023

Vehicle Registration Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

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State Policy Priorities 2025

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2025

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