AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Bennett and 4 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would permanently keep enhanced partial unemployment provisions, allowing claimants to earn up to 150% of the weekly benefit rate without losing benefits beyond mid-20

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor

Overview

Bill: HB 7962

Session: 2026

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island

Committee: House Labor

Introduced: February 27, 2026

Principal aim: Extend the enhanced partial unemployment provisions that were set to sunset on June 30, 2026, effectively eliminating the sunset and preserving higher earnings disregards and benefit offsets for partial unemployment claims.

Main purpose and intent

The act would remove the scheduled sunset of June 30, 2026 on two temporary increases related to partial unemployment benefits:

The total earnings a partial-unemployment claimant may earn before being completely disqualified from unemployment benefits (the earnings disregard).
The amount by which weekly wages can be disregarded when calculating a claimant’s weekly benefit rate.

By eliminating the sunset, the bill intends to maintain the higher thresholds and earnings disregard for partial unemployment through ongoing dates (i.e., continue the expanded benefits regime beyond mid-2026).

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 – Definitions (amendments to Chapter 28-42)

Retains and clarifies standard definitions for:
Average weekly wage, base period, benefit year, calendar quarter, contributions, credit amount, credit week, payroll, wages, etc.
Keeps existing categories for: administration account, employer/employee definitions, employment, and related terms.
Specifically affects the framework used to determine eligibility, benefit levels, and calculations for unemployment insurance.

Section 2 – Benefits (amendments to Chapter 28-44)

Partial unemployment benefits (28-44-7)
For weeks from July 1, 1983 onward, partial unemployment benefits are designed so that total weekly wages plus benefits equal the weekly benefit rate if totally unemployed.
For weeks between May 23, 2021 and June 30, 2026, the bill would maintain the enhanced partial unemployment structure by:
- Paying benefits in an amount equal to the weekly benefit rate minus the wages earned in that week.
- Capping combined wages and benefits at 150% of the weekly benefit rate.

Section 3 – Effective date

Effective upon passage (no delay).

Who/what is affected

Partial unemployment claimants in Rhode Island, particularly those earning wages while receiving unemployment benefits.

The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training administers these provisions and would implement/continue the enhanced calculations.

Employers and payroll systems: thresholds for earnings disregard and benefit offsets impact how wages are calculated against benefits.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Current law previously provided a sunset date of June 30, 2026 for the enhanced partial unemployment provisions.

This bill would eliminate that sunset, making the enhanced provisions permanent unless further legislation revises them.

Schedule noted:

Introduced Feb 27, 2026
Referred to House Labor
Scheduled for hearing/consideration around March 5, 2026
Subsequent action noted as June 3, 2026 (scheduled for consideration)

Practical implications

Claimants could continue to earn more while collecting partial unemployment benefits without facing immediate disqualification, up to 150% of the weekly benefit rate, beyond mid-2026.

The change provides greater income flexibility for workers who are partially employed, potentially supporting transitions back to full employment.

State administrative guidance and rules will need updating to reflect the permanent continuation of these thresholds.