12 New Laws Go Into Effect In Rhode Island Jan. 1, 2022

PROVIDENCE, RI — With the start of the new year, a dozen new laws covering real estate to education went into effect in Rhode Island. Here's a look at what's now the law in the Ocean State.

Solemnization of marriages

The governor can designate anyone 18 years or older to legally conduct a marriage ceremony, streamlining the previous process. Applications can be submitted to the governor's office, with a $25 fee, payable to the Secretary of State's Office.

Single-use plastic straws

Restaurants and bars cannot provide customers with a single-use plastic straw unless one is specifically requested. First and second violations come with a warning, followed by a $25 fine for each following violation, up to $300 per year.

Biodiesel regulations

This law sets new standards for number two distillate heating oil, phasing in requirements for higher percentages of cleaner-burning biodiesel. It also allows the governor or the director of the Department of Environmental Management to suspend the standards if it is determined that the heating oil that complies with the requirements is inadequate or unavailable at "commercially reasonable prices" to meet the needs of residential, commercial or industrial uses in the state and this unavailability constitutes an emergency. The suspension is limited to three months.

Insulin prices

Insurance companies cannot charge more than a $40 co-payment for a 30-day supply of insulin, and are barred from subjecting insulin to a deductible.

Real estate qualifications

Anyone applying to be a real estate broker or salesperson must pass a written exam, including topics on fair housing. Applicants must also complete 24 hours of approved continuing education courses during the 24-month renewal period.

Human trafficking awareness

Hotels must post a sign with information about human trafficking awareness in a place conspicuous to employees, including the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline. Signs must be in English and any other language spoken by at least 10 percent of employees.

Health care privacy

Health insurance companies must prominently include a confidential communication request option on their website. The law is intended to protect survivors of domestic and sexual violence, along with other vulnerable individuals from having their private health care information shared with parents or spouses.

Landlord liability

Landlords must carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance for people injured on their property, due to the landlord's negligence.

Land taxes: railroads

Residents of Pawtucket and Central Falls can exempt taxes from property bought or leased by a railroad entity for land used for boarding or disembarking railroad passengers or to support passenger railroad operations and services.

Support for English Language Learners

The Department of Education must provide rules and regulations to streamline the English as a second language (ESL) and the English Language Learner (ELL) teaching certification. The new regulations will provide reciprocity to persons holding a Massachusetts teaching certificate with similar certification in ELL and the Massachusetts counterpart, sheltered English immersion endorsements (SEI), provide cohorts where current Rhode Island certified teachers can obtain ESL and ELL endorsements, provide classes for current Rhode Island certified teachers at the individual school level within each school district, as well as accepting classes for Rhode Island ESL and ELL certifications that are accepted for Massachusetts SEI endorsement. The goal of this is increase the number of teachers in the state who are certified as ESL or ELL teachers.

Filing deadline

Domestic and foreign business corporations, nonprofit corporations and limited liability companies can file with the Secretary of State's Office from Feb. 1 through May 1, rather than June.

Newborn baby screening