Bill Sponsors
Bennett, Noret, Read, Hull, Shanley, Corvese, Dawson, Voas, McNamara, and Kazarian
Committee
House Labor
Summary
Select
This bill amends the Rhode Island General Laws regarding municipal police arbitration. It mandates that all provisions within an existing collective bargaining agreement between a municipality and a police union must remain in full effect after the contract expires. These terms will continue until a new agreement is reached or an arbitration award is issued. This change removes previous requirements that involved specific timelines for proposing changes to contractual provisions, ensuring a seamless continuation of the existing contract terms during negotiations.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Strengthens the collective bargaining power of workers by ensuring that management cannot unilaterally change working conditions or cut benefits while a new contract is being negotiated.
- Provides financial stability and security for police officers and their families by preventing gaps in contract coverage and wage protections.
- Upholds the general labor principle that expired contracts should remain in status quo to prevent bad faith negotiation tactics by employers.
Cons for Progressives
- May hinder efforts to implement police reform, as disciplinary protections in old contracts remain locked in place indefinitely until a new agreement is reached.
- Reduces the incentive for police unions to negotiate new contracts quickly, potentially delaying necessary updates to community policing standards.
- Locks municipalities into existing financial obligations, which may restrict the redirection of public funds toward social services or other community investments.
Pros for Conservatives
- Ensures stability and continuity in law enforcement operations, preventing potential disruptions or morale issues that could affect public safety.
- Protects the financial interests and working conditions of police officers, aligning with support for first responders and law and order.
- Reduces administrative ambiguity and potential litigation between towns and unions regarding which rules apply during contract gaps.
Cons for Conservatives
- Increases the power of public sector unions, potentially making it more difficult for local governments to control costs and manage taxpayer funds efficiently.
- Limits the flexibility of municipal leaders to implement necessary operational changes or fiscal adjustments immediately upon the expiration of a contract.
- May result in higher long-term costs for taxpayers by perpetuating expensive benefit structures that the town might otherwise seek to renegotiate or eliminate.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Municipal Police Officers
- Police Unions
- Municipal Governments (Cities and Towns)
- Local Taxpayers
- Labor Attorneys
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/09/2026 Introduced, referred to House Labor
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 28-9.2-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-9.2 entitled "Municipal Police Arbitration" is hereby amended to read as follows:
28-9.2-17. Continuance of contractual provisions.
All contractual provisions contained in a collective bargaining agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall continuein the following collective bargaining agreement unless either the bargaining agent or the corporate authority shall, in writing, within the thirty-day (30) period referred to in § 28-9.2-7, propose a change in any contractual provisions until such time as a successor agreement has been reached between the parties or an interest arbitration award has been rendered.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
28-9.2-17. Continuance of contractual provisions.
All contractual provisions contained in a collective bargaining agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall continue
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.