RI S2989

Establishes a 2-year pilot program (January 2027 - December 2028) allowing up to 20 equity impact statements per legislative session to evaluate whether proposed bills would increase, decrease, or have no impact on equity across categories including race, sex, disability, age, and religion.

Speaker of the House and Senate President may each request up to 5 equity impact statements, while the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Caucus (RIBLIA) may request up to 5 in each chamber.

Commission on Health Advocacy & Equity (CHAE) is responsible for producing equity impact statements, coordinating with relevant state agencies and Rhode Island colleges/universities for subject matter expertise.

Requires the state budget officer to include in the annual budget an explanation of how budget provisions further equity efforts and identify which departmental programs increase equity for protected classes.

Equity impact statements must be made available to the public when bills are posted for committee hearings and are classified as public records.