2026 -- H 7146

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LC004058

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL

REGULATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Fellela, Corvese, Azzinaro, J. Brien, and Edwards

     Date Introduced: January 16, 2026

     Referred To: House Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 28-22 of the General Laws entitled "Division of Professional

Regulation" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     28-22-4. Retirement status license.

     (a) Any person currently holding a license issued or overseen by the division of

professional regulation who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) may renew their license as a

retirement status license subject and pursuant to subsections (b) through (d) of this section.

     (b) An applicant for a retirement status license shall submit their original license to the

division of professional regulation, along with a form, to be provided by the division of professional

regulation, for such classification, which shall contain a statement expressing the licensee’s status

as retired and acknowledging that the applicant shall not actively engage in the practice of the

occupation or trade for which a license was originally issued, while possessing a retirement status

license.

     (c) A licensee issued a retirement status license shall not practice or offer to practice the

occupation or trade for which a license was originally issued. The division of professional

regulation and any licensing boards associated therewith are authorized to investigate violations of

this provision in the same manner and bearing the same penalties as the unauthorized or unlicensed

practice of a regulated occupation or trade.

     (d) If the division of professional regulation issues a retirement status license pursuant to

this section, it shall return the original license submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section

to the applicant. Such original license shall bear a designation or be stamped “Retired”.

     (e) The fee for a retirement status license shall be twenty dollars ($20.00).

     (f) A licensee issued a retirement status license may restore such licensee’s original license

by submitting a form, to be provided by the division of professional regulation, requesting

reinstatement by paying the then-current annual fee for such license, and demonstrating completion

of the most recent continuing education requirements or any other continuing or ongoing training

requirements applicable to the license, as though the licensee had remained in active status during

the year immediately preceding reinstatement.

     (g) The division or professional regulation may, for good cause shown, grant a retirement

status license to a person who does not meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL

REGULATION

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     This act would create a new class of retirement status license for retirees that had possessed

a professional license issued by the division of professional regulation.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

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