Bill Sponsors
Fellela, Corvese, Azzinaro, J. Brien, and Edwards
Committee
House Labor
Summary
Select
This legislation amends Rhode Island labor laws to create a "retirement status license" for professionals overseen by the Division of Professional Regulation. Individuals aged 65 and older can exchange their active license for this retired status by paying a $20 fee and agreeing not to practice their trade. The original license is returned to them stamped "Retired." If a retiree wishes to return to work later, they can reinstate their active license by paying the current annual fee and proving they have met necessary continuing education requirements. The state may also grant this status to those under 65 for good cause.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Reduces financial burdens on aging workers by offering a low-cost $20 option to maintain professional standing, rather than forcing them to pay full renewal fees when they are no longer generating income.
- Acknowledges the dignity and history of skilled laborers by allowing them to retain their license with a "Retired" designation, validating their career contributions even after they stop working.
- Ensures community safety standards are maintained by mandating that any retired professional wishing to return to the workforce must first catch up on continuing education and training requirements.
Cons for Progressives
- Imposes a fee of $20 on senior citizens for the status of being retired, which could be viewed as a nuisance tax on individuals likely living on fixed incomes.
- The age requirement of 65 is rigid and may disadvantage workers forced into early retirement due to disability or economic displacement, unless they successfully navigate a discretionary "good cause" appeal.
- The reinstatement requirements for continuing education could act as a financial barrier for lower-income retirees who wish to re-enter the workforce but cannot afford the upfront costs of training classes.
Pros for Conservatives
- Reduces the regulatory cost burden on senior professionals by allowing them to maintain a license status for a nominal one-time fee rather than paying expensive annual renewal costs for a license they aren't using.
- Provides flexibility and individual freedom for professionals to exit and re-enter the private sector workforce without facing excessive bureaucratic red tape or losing their professional history.
- Upholds the rule of law by explicitly stating that retired status holders cannot practice, ensuring that active commerce is conducted only by fully insured and compliant licensees.
Cons for Conservatives
- Expands government bureaucracy by creating a new license category that requires administrative oversight, paperwork, and processing for individuals who are no longer economically active.
- Imposes a fee on individuals who are no longer generating income from their trade, effectively taxing citizens for the privilege of not working.
- Grants the state government the power to investigate and penalize retired private citizens, potentially leading to government overreach into the lives of those not actively participating in the market.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Professionals over age 65
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Hoisting engineers
- Mechanical trade professionals
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
Professionals over 65: $20/license
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to House Labor
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 28-22 of the General Laws entitled "Division of Professional Regulation" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
28-22-4. Retirement status license.
(a) Any person currently holding a license issued or overseen by the division of professional regulation who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) may renew their license as a retirement status license subject and pursuant to subsections (b) through (d) of this section.
(b) An applicant for a retirement status license shall submit their original license to the division of professional regulation, along with a form, to be provided by the division of professional regulation, for such classification, which shall contain a statement expressing the licensee’s status as retired and acknowledging that the applicant shall not actively engage in the practice of the occupation or trade for which a license was originally issued, while possessing a retirement status license.
(c) A licensee issued a retirement status license shall not practice or offer to practice the occupation or trade for which a license was originally issued. The division of professional regulation and any licensing boards associated therewith are authorized to investigate violations of this provision in the same manner and bearing the same penalties as the unauthorized or unlicensed practice of a regulated occupation or trade.
(d) If the division of professional regulation issues a retirement status license pursuant to this section, it shall return the original license submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to the applicant. Such original license shall bear a designation or be stamped “Retired”.
(e) The fee for a retirement status license shall be twenty dollars ($20.00).
(f) A licensee issued a retirement status license may restore such licensee’s original license by submitting a form, to be provided by the division of professional regulation, requesting reinstatement by paying the then-current annual fee for such license, and demonstrating completion of the most recent continuing education requirements or any other continuing or ongoing training requirements applicable to the license, as though the licensee had remained in active status during the year immediately preceding reinstatement.
(g) The division or professional regulation may, for good cause shown, grant a retirement status license to a person who does not meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
28-22-4. Retirement status license.
(a) Any person currently holding a license issued or overseen by the division of professional regulation who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) may renew their license as a retirement status license subject and pursuant to subsections (b) through (d) of this section.
(b) An applicant for a retirement status license shall submit their original license to the division of professional regulation, along with a form, to be provided by the division of professional regulation, for such classification, which shall contain a statement expressing the licensee’s status as retired and acknowledging that the applicant shall not actively engage in the practice of the occupation or trade for which a license was originally issued, while possessing a retirement status license.
(c) A licensee issued a retirement status license shall not practice or offer to practice the occupation or trade for which a license was originally issued. The division of professional regulation and any licensing boards associated therewith are authorized to investigate violations of this provision in the same manner and bearing the same penalties as the unauthorized or unlicensed practice of a regulated occupation or trade.
(d) If the division of professional regulation issues a retirement status license pursuant to this section, it shall return the original license submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to the applicant. Such original license shall bear a designation or be stamped “Retired”.
(e) The fee for a retirement status license shall be twenty dollars ($20.00).
(f) A licensee issued a retirement status license may restore such licensee’s original license by submitting a form, to be provided by the division of professional regulation, requesting reinstatement by paying the then-current annual fee for such license, and demonstrating completion of the most recent continuing education requirements or any other continuing or ongoing training requirements applicable to the license, as though the licensee had remained in active status during the year immediately preceding reinstatement.
(g) The division or professional regulation may, for good cause shown, grant a retirement status license to a person who does not meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.