Rhode Island Senate

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week:https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/Weekly%20Highlights/06-05-2026.pdf

The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III that amends signature requirements and deadlines for presidential preference delegate primaries.

“Our democracy only grows stronger with more people involved, and this bill will give more people the opportunity to take part in the presidential selection process. By reducing the number of signatures needed to qualify as a presidential delegate, it will make it easier for a more diverse slate of presidential delegate candidates to join in on the process,” said Leader Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376605

The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Pam Lauria, RI Senator D32 to protect healthcare providers who prescribe medications to terminate pregnancies.

The legislation would allow the name of the dispensing practice, rather than the name of the prescribing practitioner, to be used on the prescription label for abortion medications, at the prescriber’s request.

The bill is aimed at protecting Rhode Island health care providers at a time when other states have rolled back reproductive healthcare rights and have engaged in efforts to target providers in other states.

“Following the Dobbs decision, some states have not only restricted their own citizens’ rights to healthcare, they have not stopped at their own borders in attacking reproductive freedom,” said Senator Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence). “This bill is important to protect providers here in Rhode Island who are offering care that is legal, safe and critical.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376620