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RI H7093

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/14/2026

Primary Sponsor

Ramon Perez

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Amends Rhode Island's Civil Rights Act of 1990 to add a statutory definition of "anti-Semitism" based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition adopted May 26, 2016

  • Requires state agencies, the human affairs commission, and local subdivisions to consider the IHRA definition when investigating discrimination complaints to determine whether anti-Semitic intent was a motivating factor

  • Explicitly excludes criticism of Israel "similar to that leveled against any other country" from the definition of anti-Semitism

  • Includes a First Amendment protection clause stating the law shall not diminish rights under the U.S. Constitution or Rhode Island Constitution, nor conflict with existing federal or state discrimination laws

  • Defines discriminatory acts to include harassing conduct that is "severe, pervasive, or persistent" enough to interfere with a victim's ability to participate in services, activities, opportunities, or privileges

Legislative Description

Defines “anti-Semitism” for the state human affairs commission to use while investigating and working to resolve complaints of discrimination and for the commission against prejudice and bias to use in defining hate crimes.

State Affairs And Government

Last Action

Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections

1/14/2026

Committee Referrals

State Government & Elections1/14/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available