2026 -- S 2753 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

URGING THE GOVERNOR TO CONDUCT A VETERANS HOME WORKFORCE

ANALYSIS TO GUIDE POLICY AND BUDGET DECISIONS

     Introduced By: Senators Ujifusa, DiPalma, Felag, Euer, Kallman, Appollonio, E
Morgan, Murray, Zurier, and Britto

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol is operating below licensed bed

capacity, including not being able to open a thirty-two (32) unit Foxtrot wing for almost six (6)

years, due to persistent workforce shortages affecting nurses, certified nursing assistants, and

support staff; and

     WHEREAS, Operating below licensed capacity does not properly address the needs of

Rhode Island veterans, causes undue stress on families and healthcare workers, and reduces

federal per diem reimbursement and increases per-resident costs, compounding the fiscal and

human consequences of each year the crisis goes unresolved; and

     WHEREAS, The staffing crisis has persisted in part because policy and budget proposals

have not been grounded in comprehensive analysis of what compensation and workforce

structures are actually required to recruit and retain qualified staff; now, therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island Senate hereby urges and requests that:

     (1) The Governor direct the Department of Administration to conduct a comprehensive

analysis of why the Veterans Home cannot hire and retain enough qualified staff to operate at full

capacity, examining factors including: wage competitiveness, shift differentials, retention

incentives, housing and commute barriers, scheduling flexibility and career advancement

opportunities;

     (2) The Department of Administration, based on that analysis, develop a corrective action

plan including a timeline that identifies how to reach full occupancy; and

     (3) The Governor's Fiscal Year 2027-2028 budget proposal for the Veterans Home reflect

and take steps to implement the corrective action plan's recommendations; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of state be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Governor of Rhode Island, the Director of

Administration, the Director of the Office of Veterans Services, the Veterans Home

Administrator, and the Chairs of the Senate and House Finance Committees.

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