Establishes a maximum hourly workday for all peace officers as defined in § 12-7-21 and a violation rate of pay of double time and a half.

Rhode Island Peace Officer Workday & Overtime Bill

This bill would set a legal limit on how many hours peace officers in Rhode Island can be required to work in a single day. "Peace officers" is a broad term that includes police officers, sheriffs, corrections officers, and other law enforcement personnel as defined under Rhode Island law. By establishing a maximum hourly workday, the bill aims to put a firm cap on how long these workers can be on duty before their shift must legally end.

The bill also creates a financial penalty for employers — such as police departments or correctional facilities — that require peace officers to work beyond that maximum. Specifically, if an employer violates the hourly limit, they would be required to pay the affected officer double time and a half — meaning two and a half times their normal hourly rate — for any hours worked over the cap. This is a higher rate than standard overtime pay (which is typically time and a half), making it a stronger financial incentive for employers to follow the rules.

This legislation would directly affect peace officers across Rhode Island and the government agencies that employ them. Officers could benefit from stronger protections against excessive working hours and higher compensation if those limits are crossed. Government agencies and municipalities would need to adjust scheduling practices and budget for the possibility of higher labor costs if the cap is exceeded. The bill has been referred to the Senate Labor and Gaming Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.