Proposed Policies
Safer States provides the most current proposed and adopted legislation on toxins. On the map, click on Rhode Island and open up the pages with proposed and adopted legislation. You can track each bill through the entire legislative process.
S.B.16: Prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in carpets, upholstered furniture, textile furnishings, apparel, cosmetics juvenile products, cookware and firefighting foam and gives authority to the department of environmental management to regulate the use.
H.B.5104: Requires that all cosmetics manufactured, sold, delivered, or held for offering to be sold contain a label that completely and accurately lists all of their component ingredients.
S.B.196: Prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in various products, including but not limited to, carpets, rugs, cookware, cosmetics, firefighting foam and various other items. This act would also give authority to the department of environmental management to regulate the use of PFAS.
H.B.5673: Prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in various products, including but not limited to, carpets, rugs, cookware, cosmetics, firefighting foam and various other items. This act would also give authority to the department of environmental management to regulate the use of PFAS.
H.B.5007: Establishes a lead water supply replacement program for public and private service lines and requires disclosure to tenants and buyers of real property of the presence of lead service lines.
S.B.2: Establishes a lead water supply replacement program for public and private service lines and requires disclosure to tenants and buyers of real property of the presence of lead service lines.
S.B.1119: Prohibits the sale or distribution of fluorescent lamps containing mercury.
H.B.5550: Prohibits the sale or distribution of fluorescent lamps containing mercury.
H.B.5086: Prohibits the marketing or sale of consumer products labeled as "compostable" if the product has a total organic fluorine concentration of greater than one hundred parts per million (100 ppm).
H.B.5091: Establishes a packaging reduction and recycling program. Requires state department to establish toxic reduction requirements.
S.B.15: Prohibits state purchases of plastic bottles, bags and polystyrene.
H.B.5142: Prohibits the construction or operation of a new high-heat waste facility.
Adopted Regulations
SB 2044: Prohibits the sale or promotional distribution of any food package in Rhode Island which contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, effective January 1, 2024. (Adopted in 2022)
HB 7438: Prohibits the sale or promotional distribution of any food package in Rhode Island which contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, effective January 1, 2024. (Adopted in 2022)
H 7199: Bans mercury-containing thermostats unless the manufacturer submits a plan for a collection program. Prohibits a thermostat wholesaler from selling or distributing any thermostat unless the wholesaler acts as a collection site, and promotes and utilizes the collection containers provided by thermostat manufacturers. (Adopted in 2010)
H 8639: Urges the Mercury Reduction Oversight Commission to develop a plan to address the collection and recycling of mercury added auto parts. (Adopted in 2004)
S 3209: Urges the Mercury Reduction Oversight Commission to develop a plan to address the collection and recycling of mercury-added auto parts. (Adopted in 2004)
HB 7233: Requires for the department of health to take action to establish maximum contaminant levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water and set interim standards. The act would also provide that the department of environmental management set standards for PFAS in ground and surface waters, and adopt standards for PFAS monitoring at landfills. (Adopted in 2022)
SB 2298: Authorizes the department of health to take action to establish maximum contaminate levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water and set interim standards. The act would also provide that the department of environmental management set standards for PFAS in ground and surface waters, and adopt standards for PFAS monitoring at landfills. (Adopted in 2022)
H.B.5861: Provides that water supply systems with PFAS contaminants that exceed the interim drinking water standard be required to enter into a consent agreement with department of health to implement treatment to reduce the levels of PFAS contaminants. (Adopted in 2023)
S.B.724: Provides that water supply systems that have PFAS contaminants that exceed the interim drinking water standard be required to enter into a consent agreement with department of health to implement treatment to reduce the levels of PFAS contaminants. (Adopted in 2023)
S.B.14: Prohibits a covered establishment from preparing, selling, processing or providing food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. (Adopted in 2023)
H.B.5090: Prohibits a covered establishment from preparing, selling, processing or providing food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. (Adopted in 2023)
H 5082: Prohibits the manufacture and sale of residential upholstered bedding and furniture containing toxic flame retardants. (Adopted in 2017)
HB 7917: Restricts the manufacturing or distribution of flame retardants containing pentaBDE or octaBDE, and requires study on decaBDE. (Adopted in 2006)
Rhode Island Governmental Departments, Regulations, and Lawsuits
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