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New Year New Laws
The new year does not just bring new resolutions to uphold, but it also comes with a new semester, filled with new professors and classmates to get to know and new academic goals to fulfill. With so much change in just a few short weeks, it can be hard to remember that the new year also brings many new state laws.
In January, a variety of laws passed in Rhode Island went into effect. From vaping to insurance coverage, broken down below are just some of the legal changes in the state that are likely relevant to you or someone you know.
Increased Minimum Wage
Excitingly, employers in Rhode Island are now required to pay employees a minimum wage of $15 an hour. This increase actually came from legislation passed in 2021, which served to gradually increase the state minimum wage over the course of four years. Back in 2021, the minimum wage in Rhode Island had been $11.50 an hour, having only increased marginally and inconsistently each year prior.
While 2025 marks the final increase resulting from the 2021 bill, it looks like the state’s minimum wage will continue to rise. Although it has yet to be passed, new legislation was introduced at the Rhode Island State House that looks to increase the state minimum wage even more over the next five years—with the goal of $20 an hour by 2030.
No More White Bagging
It is no secret that America’s healthcare system is rife with unjust practices that benefit insurance companies while harming patients and healthcare providers. “White bagging” is a perfect illustration of this. The term refers to a country-wide practice of insurers requiring patients and hospitals to purchase necessary medications from pharmacies affiliated with the patient’s insurer.
According to the American Hospital Association, white bagging is done in order “to steer business to [insurers’] own pharmacies at the expense of hospitals and patients.” Beyond clearly putting profit over patients, white bagging is also incredibly dangerous, as it can often lead to a delay in patients receiving crucial medications. In situations when hospitals refuse insurer-selected medications and opt for in-clinic treatment—for safety reasons—they typically do not receive payment from the insurer, “resulting in hospitals taking a loss while insurers profit from not having to pay for drugs administered to their members.”
Rhode Island’s new bill regarding white bagging prohibits insurance companies from engaging in the practice specifically for infused drugs. Infused drugs are administered via IV drip, and are required for a variety of medications, from antibiotics to chemotherapy, making this legislation vital for all Rhode Islanders.
No More Flavored Vapes
Increasingly, states across the country have been banning flavored vapes and nicotine products. Now, Rhode Island is officially a part of that group. New regulations regarding the sale of e-cigarettes codify recommendations that had been laid out in an executive order from former Governor Gina Raimondo in 2019. The executive order looked to protect Rhode Island’s youth from nicotine addiction and the many negative side effects.
According to Motif Magazine, in Rhode Island, “Banned flavors are specified, but not limited to, any fruit, mint, chocolate, honey, or spice that may impart a cooling or numbing sensation.” This leaves menthol and tobacco as the only vape flavors legally allowed to be bought and sold in Rhode Island.
Beyond the ban on flavors, the new regulations also increase sales tax on all vape products. Notably, closed system products (AKA disposable vapes)—generally the most popular with college-age kids—will be taxed at $0.50/mL. While some disposable vapes have as little as 2mL of juice in them, others hold as much as 13mL. With the new taxation, this could mean an additional $5 per vape (at least).
If you or someone you know is struggling to quit vaping or any kind of tobacco use, visit these resources or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for quick, confidential support.
