Rhody Wrap-Up

2025 Legislative Session

The American Heart Association’s Rhode Island advocacy team works to advance policies at the state and local levels that will further our mission of being a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We do this lifesaving work in collaboration with volunteers, advocates, coalition partners, community organizations, legislators, and state agency staff. We are pleased to share our progress and thank everyone involved in these campaigns! Together we are building a healthier Ocean State.

Success!

• Flavored E-Cigarettes: Defeated bad legislation that would have allowed flavored electronic cigarettes back on the market in Rhode Island, rolling back protections for kids.
• Tobacco Tax: Defeated a proposal to raise the state cigarette tax by an amount that was too low to have a meaningful public health impact and did not direct new revenue to critical tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
• Early Care and Education: Secured funding to support the successful Child Care for Child Care Educators pilot program in collaboration with the RIght from the Start campaign. The pilot, which was extended for 3 years, helps child care providers attract and retain early educators and keep child care classrooms open across the state.
• Paid Family Leave: Improved paid family leave in Rhode Island by increasing the wage replacement rate, expanding the contribution base, and expanding the definition of family. These changes will help families and workers when they need it most.

Close, but not quite there…

• Smoke-Free Casinos: After years of advocacy alongside casino employees, smoke-free casinos legislation moved this year. However, we are very concerned the final measure created a loophole for Bally’s by allowing one “smoking lounge” with essentially no parameters set by the General Assembly. We will work to tighten this exemption and ensure casino workers are protected from toxic secondhand smoke.
• Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring: Legislation that would require Medicaid coverage of Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) monitoring for pregnant and postpartum moms unanimously passed the Senate. We will advocate to get this vital proposal across the finish line next year.

Policy campaigns that will continue in 2026:

• Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) for School Buildings and School Athletic Venues/Events
• Healthy School Meals for All
• Nutrition Standards for Restaurant Kids’ Meals
• Funding for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Programs

Contact: Megan Tucker, Region Senior Director, Field Advocacy, [email protected]