| Update Applicable to: | Effective Date |
| All Covered Employers in Rhode Island | January 1, 2026 |
What happened?
On July 1, 2025, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed amendments to the state’s Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) law to expand paid leave benefits under the Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program.
Overview:
The changes extend coverage to employees who donate bone marrow or organs while living, offering job protection and wage replacement during recovery.
The amended law adds definitions for “living organ donor” and “bone marrow transplant donor” and allows eligible employees to take paid leave for donation-related procedures, medical testing, and recovery. Specifically, the law provides:
- Up to 5 business days of leave for bone marrow donation
- Up to 30 business days of leave for living organ donation.
These benefits are part of the existing TCI program, which already supports workers caring for seriously ill family members or bonding with a new child. Employees taking leave under these new provisions will receive the same job protections and continued health benefits as other TCI recipients.
The law amends § 28-41-34 and § 28-41-35 of the Rhode Island General Laws and will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Source References
- Rhode Island HB 6065 – An Act Relating To Labor And Labor Relations – Temporary Disability Insurance – Benefits
- Rhode Island SB 829 – Companion Bill
Resources
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