2026 Rhode Island Labor Law Roundup
The following changes to Rhode Island employment law take effect on January 1, 2026, and apply to employers of all sizes:
Minimum Wage Increase
The state's minimum wage will increase to $16 per hour. The minimum base wage for tipped employees will remain at $3.89 per hour.
New Hire Notice
Employers will be required to provide new hires with a written notice of the following information:
Pay rate(s) and pay basis, including, but not limited to, whether the employee is paid by the hour, salary, piece rate, or commission
Any allowances claimed for meals and lodging
Employer's policy on sick, vacation, personal leave, holidays, and hours
Employee's employment status and whether they're exempt or nonexempt • Deductions that can be made from employee's pay
Number of days in the pay period, regularly scheduled paydays, and the employee's first payday
Employer's legal name, operating name (if different), main physical address, mailing address (if different), and telephone number
The notice needs to be acknowledged with the employee's signature and a copy kept on file.
TCI Coverage Expands
Employees will be able to use Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) for two new reasons:
To care for a sibling who has a serious health condition
For bone marrow and living organ donation (retroactive to January 1, 2025)
As a reminder, also on January 1, TCI benefits will increase up to a maximum of eight weeks in a benefit year. Learn more on the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training website.
Human Trafficking Training for Hotel Employees
Hotel employees will be required to complete human trafficking awareness training within 180 days of hire, and each calendar year thereafter. The training will need to include specific components and be approved by the state. Records of employee training need to be kept for the duration of employment, plus one year. Hotels will also be required to create a policy for reporting suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or local law enforcement.
Action Items:
Begin providing new hires with notices that include the above information by January 1, 2026
Update your policy to include new leave reasons
Provide trainings as required
Update other policies and procedures as needed