Excludes from the definition of an "employee" any individual employed in catering, commissary, or food establishment, for purposes of the provisions requiring payment of wages at one and one-half normal rate of pay for work on holidays and Sundays.

Summary of Rhode Island House Bill

This bill would change who qualifies for overtime pay on Sundays and holidays in Rhode Island. Currently, state law requires that workers classified as "employees" receive one and a half times their normal pay (sometimes called "time and a half") when they work on Sundays and certain holidays. This bill would remove workers in catering, commissary (food service operations, such as those in workplaces or institutions), and food establishments from that protection by excluding them from the legal definition of "employee" for this specific purpose.

In practical terms, this means that if the bill passes, employers in the food service industry — such as restaurants, catering companies, and similar businesses — would no longer be legally required to pay their workers the higher holiday or Sunday rate. Employees in these industries would still receive their regular wages for working on those days, but they would lose the guarantee of the extra half-time pay they currently receive under state law.

This bill primarily affects food service workers and their employers across Rhode Island. Workers in this industry — who often include hourly wage earners — would see a reduction in the wage protections they currently have on Sundays and holidays, while employers in the sector would have lower mandatory labor costs on those days. The bill has been referred to the House Labor Committee and is currently being held for further study, meaning it has not yet advanced toward a vote.