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HB 5685

AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- WORK ON HOLIDAYS AND SUNDAYS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mia Ackerman and 5 co-sponsors

HB 5685 extends holiday and Sunday overtime protections to casino workers by expanding the 'employee' scope under Rhode Island’s holiday work law.

03/05/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5685

Summary — HB 5685 (2025)

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- WORK ON HOLIDAYS AND SUNDAYS
Introduced: Feb 26, 2025 (filed Apr 22, 2025) | Referred to: House Labor
Current status (as recorded): Committee recommended measure be held for further study (03/05/2025). See procedural history below.

Purpose / Intent

The bill amends the definitions in Rhode Island’s chapter governing work on holidays and Sundays (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 25‑3). Its practical effect is to bring casino employees within the statute’s coverage so that they may be eligible for overtime/holiday pay protections that apply under chapter 25‑3 when working on Sundays or listed holidays.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 25‑3‑1 (Definitions).
    • Clarifies and enumerates the role of the “Director” (director of the Department of Labor and Training).
    • Provides a detailed definition of “economic necessity” with multiple specific circumstances (continuous manufacturing/data processing needs, prevailing industry practice, maintenance constraints, energy or materials shortages, force majeure events, temporary undue hardship).
    • Revises the definition of “employee” and the list of excluded occupations/industries. Notably, the exclusion for individuals “employed in a restaurant, hotel, motel, summer camp, resort, or other recreational facility” is qualified: it explicitly excepts health clubs and casinos — i.e., casinos are not excluded from the statute’s definition of “employee.”
    • Retains/clarifies the statutory list of “holidays” (Sunday, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4, Victory Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas) and notes that for state and municipal offices the list also includes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday per § 25‑2‑18.
  • Effective date: upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Casino employees in Rhode Island — by being covered under chapter 25‑3 they become eligible for the chapter’s protections (e.g., overtime/holiday pay rules that apply to work performed on Sundays and statutory holidays).
  • Secondary: Casino employers — may need to adjust payroll practices and scheduling to comply with Sunday/holiday pay requirements; could affect labor costs and staffing patterns.
  • Other impacted parties: Department of Labor and Training (director) for determinations under the “economic necessity” standard; employers in industries referenced in the “economic necessity” definition where exceptions may be sought.

Procedural / timeline notes (selected)

  • 02/26/2025: Introduced, referred to House Labor; 02/28/2025: scheduled for hearing.
  • 03/05/2025: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (status recorded).
  • Later committee activity (04/29–04/30/2025): public hearing, testimony recorded, reported favorably without amendment (per the provided action log).
  • 04/23–05/19/2025: subsequent calendar and committee report actions listed (placed on General State Calendar, committee reports filed/distributed, recommendations filed with the Speaker).
  • The bill would take effect upon passage.

Note: The bill text does not restate the specific overtime rate or premium; it modifies who is covered by existing chapter 25‑3 rules. The Legislative Council explanation accompanying the bill summarizes its effect as allowing casino workers to receive overtime pay for work on Sundays and holidays.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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