Effective January 1, 2028, Increases the hourly minimum wage in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region for the previous four (4) fiscal years.

Rhode Island Minimum Wage Indexing Bill

This bill would have changed how Rhode Island sets its minimum wage starting January 1, 2028. Instead of the state legislature voting each time to raise the minimum wage, the wage would automatically increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Northeast Region — a standard government measurement that tracks how much everyday prices (like groceries, housing, and gas) have risen over time. Specifically, the adjustment would be based on price changes over the previous four fiscal years.

The practical effect would be that the minimum wage stays in step with the rising cost of living in the region, without requiring lawmakers to pass a new law each time an increase is needed. This type of system is often called "indexing" the minimum wage to inflation.

This bill would directly affect low-wage workers across Rhode Island, who could see more predictable wage increases over time, as well as employers — particularly small businesses — who would need to plan for automatic wage adjustments. It's worth noting that this bill was withdrawn by its sponsor before moving through the legislative process, meaning it did not advance and has no current legal effect. Rhode Island's minimum wage would continue to be set through the standard legislative process unless a similar bill is introduced and passed in the future.