Virginia Susan Sosnowski

Sponsored a law, signed on June 24, 2023, that requires insurers to cover extra breast cancer screening, such as MRI or ultrasound, for patients told they have dense breast tissue.

June 24, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to cover abortion in Medicaid and state employee health plans. It passed the Senate 24-13 on May 18, 2023.

May 18, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 25, 2021, that bars health insurers from charging different premiums based on gender.

June 25, 2021Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 2, 2018, that requires public colleges to make plans to meet students' mental health needs.

July 2, 2018Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for a 2017 law that updated state health insurance rules to keep the market stable and keep consumer protections. It passed the Senate 30-6 on June 14, 2017.

June 14, 2017Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to ban plants that burn or chemically break down waste and plastics into fuel at the Quonset industrial park until June 2027. It passed the Senate 29-9.

June 10, 2026Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on July 2, 2025, that ended the smoking exemption for casinos, allowing smoking only in enclosed, separately ventilated smoking lounges.

July 2, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to make kratom legal to sell to adults 21 and over, with labeling rules and a ban on mixing it with harmful substances. It passed the Senate 23-10.

June 21, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to replace the 10-member coastal council with a 7-member board whose members must have environmental expertise. It passed the Senate 25-10.

June 20, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to require that cosmetic procedures at medical spas be done by a doctor or by staff a doctor supervises on site. It passed the Senate 28-9.

June 17, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to keep Rhode Island's supervised drug-use centers open two more years, to March 2028. The centers are meant to prevent overdose deaths. It passed the Senate 27-7.

May 13, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on June 26, 2024, that created a state lake management program to help control invasive plants in lakes and ponds.

June 26, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for a program tracking the energy and water use of large buildings, with energy performance standards. It passed the Senate 31-6 on June 12, 2024.

June 12, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 29, 2022, that requires dam safety standards to account for climate change effects on flood areas below dams.

June 29, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 12, 2021, that set energy and water efficiency standards for appliances sold or installed after January 1, 2023.

July 12, 2021Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 8, 2021, that banned releasing helium balloons into the air.

July 8, 2021Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the 2021 Act on Climate, which made the state's greenhouse gas reduction targets mandatory. It passed the Senate 28-9 on April 6, 2021.

April 6, 2021Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 2, 2018, that lets owners of open space land sue people who encroach on it and recover damages.

July 2, 2018Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 4, 2018, that bans advertising unhealthy food and drinks in schools.

June 4, 2018Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on July 19, 2017, that lets state environment and health officials enforce federal food safety rules for farms.

July 19, 2017Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 27, 2016, that extended the state's renewable energy standard, which requires electricity suppliers to buy growing amounts of renewable power, through 2035.

June 27, 2016Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 13, 2016, that banned possessing shark fins except in limited cases such as preparing a legally caught shark.

June 13, 2016Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 9, 2015, that phased out cesspools in Rhode Island.

July 9, 2015Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 30, 2014, that created the Renewable Energy Growth program, which pays small renewable energy projects through utility tariffs.

June 30, 2014Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 15, 2013, that limits the use of eminent domain to take land protected by a conservation restriction.

July 15, 2013Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 11, 2013, that set how money from selling carbon pollution allowances under the regional greenhouse gas program is spent, including energy efficiency, renewable energy and rate relief.

July 11, 2013Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the Biodiesel Heating Oil Act of 2013, signed on July 11, 2013, which required heating oil sold in the state to contain plant-based biodiesel.

July 11, 2013Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on May 22, 2012, that allowed drop boxes at local police stations for safe disposal of unused medicines.

May 22, 2012Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 25, 2010, that lets the attorney general go to court to enforce land conservation restrictions.

June 25, 2010Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the Water Use and Government Efficiency Act of 2009, enacted on November 12, 2009, which changed how regulated water suppliers set rates to manage demand and pay for pipe repairs.

November 12, 2009Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 2, 2008, that required yard waste to be recycled and banned dumping it at the state's central landfill starting in 2009.

July 2, 2008Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 27, 2008, that made electronics makers take more responsibility for, and pay more of the cost of, recycling their old products.

June 27, 2008Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the Rhode Island Cesspool Act of 2007, enacted on July 3, 2007, which targeted high-risk cesspools that threaten public health and water quality.

July 3, 2007Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on June 22, 2007, that requires public high schools to offer healthier snacks and drinks.

June 22, 2007Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the Safe Patient Handling Act, enacted on July 7, 2006, which requires health care facilities to adopt programs to prevent injuries to patients and workers when lifting and moving patients.

July 7, 2006Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act, enacted on June 29, 2004, which banned smoking in most enclosed public places and workplaces in Rhode Island.

June 29, 2004Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 2, 2025, that ended the smoking exemption for casinos, allowing smoking only in enclosed, separately ventilated smoking lounges.

July 2, 2025Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to treat a police officer's heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure as a job-related disability, as firefighters are already treated. It passed the Senate 29-8.

May 15, 2025Supports Labor Rights

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to cover domestic workers in private homes under the state minimum wage law. It passed the Senate 32-5 on June 13, 2024.

June 13, 2024Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 19, 2023, that expanded cancer benefits for firefighters to cover members of fire district emergency units.

June 19, 2023Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to raise the minimum wage from $11.50 to $15 an hour over four years. It passed the Senate 29-7 on May 18, 2021.

May 18, 2021Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to raise the state minimum wage to $11.50 an hour in 2020. It passed the Senate 32-6 on June 18, 2019.

June 18, 2019Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to keep all terms of teacher and city worker union contracts in force while a new contract is negotiated. It passed the Senate 28-8 on May 1, 2019.

May 1, 2019Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for requiring employers with 18 or more workers to give paid sick days. It passed the Senate 26-8 on June 30, 2017.

June 30, 2017Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on July 15, 2015, that bars employers from firing volunteer emergency responders who miss work to answer an emergency call.

July 15, 2015Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for raising the state minimum wage to $9 an hour in 2015. It passed the Senate 32-5 on June 19, 2014.

June 19, 2014Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the Safe Patient Handling Act, enacted on July 7, 2006, which requires health care facilities to adopt programs to prevent injuries to patients and workers when lifting and moving patients.

July 7, 2006Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act, enacted on June 29, 2004, which banned smoking in most enclosed public places and workplaces in Rhode Island.

June 29, 2004Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to let Providence raise its property tax levy by up to 8 percent in one year, above the usual state cap. It passed the Senate 28-7.

June 20, 2025Opposes Cost of Living Reduction

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to bury part of a high-voltage power line in Providence and East Providence. Electric customers in those two cities pay the extra cost through their bills. It passed the Senate 28-9.

June 18, 2025Opposes Cost of Living Reduction

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to let residents who cannot prove legal immigration status get a Rhode Island driver privilege card or state ID. It passed the Senate 27-9 on June 15, 2023.

June 15, 2023Supports Immigration

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to let the state help finance a new minor league ballpark in Pawtucket. It passed the Senate 26-9 on January 16, 2018.

January 16, 2018Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the 2011 overhaul of state and municipal worker pensions, which changed both benefits and worker contributions. It passed the Senate 34-2 on November 17, 2011.

November 17, 2011Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to make it a crime for a prisoner to use force or a weapon to resist a lawful order from a corrections officer. It passed the Senate 25-13.

June 11, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: legiscan.com

Voted for creating a new crime for delivering illegal drugs that cause a death. It passed the Senate 25-11 on June 21, 2018.

June 21, 2018Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 10, 2017, that banned using a hand-held phone while driving, except for emergencies and public safety workers.

July 10, 2017Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on July 1, 2014, that lets judges require some drivers convicted of impaired driving to use ignition interlock devices.

July 1, 2014Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 23, 2014, that made stealing farm products a misdemeanor or felony depending on their value.

June 23, 2014Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 15, 2013, that lets the traffic court suspend the license of a driver caught texting a second time.

July 15, 2013Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 5, 2012, that bars prisoners convicted of certain serious crimes from earning time off their sentences for good behavior.

June 5, 2012Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on November 9, 2009, that lets police get a search warrant for a blood, breath or urine test when there is probable cause a driver was impaired.

November 9, 2009Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored Rhode Island's first ban on texting while driving, signed on November 9, 2009.

November 9, 2009Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to make towns answer a written zoning question within 20 days instead of 15, and to let the applicant appeal that answer. It passed the Senate 28-7.

June 21, 2025Supports Housing Affordability

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to require town zoning rules to allow attached single-family homes, such as townhouses, in designated districts. It passed the Senate 23-12.

June 20, 2025Supports Housing Affordability

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to define co-living housing, where residents rent a private room and share a kitchen or bath, and let towns allow it. It passed the Senate 25-10.

June 20, 2025Supports Housing Affordability

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to require town zoning rules to allow homes in commercial districts, including apartments above shops. It passed the Senate 25-10.

June 20, 2025Supports Housing Affordability

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to require town zoning rules to allow housing other than detached single-family homes in sewered areas inside the urban services boundary. It passed the Senate 23-12.

June 20, 2025Supports Housing Affordability

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on June 27, 2022, that requires the state to make a plan to simplify food stamp applications and renewals for older residents.

June 27, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on July 8, 2008, that widened the ban on utility shutoffs for families in financial hardship from homes with babies under 12 months to homes with children under 2.

July 8, 2008Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on July 6, 2007, that bars gas and electric shutoffs for nonpayment at homes with a baby under 12 months when the family faces financial hardship.

July 6, 2007Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to ban the sale, manufacture and purchase of assault-style firearms in Rhode Island starting July 2026. It passed the Senate 25-11.

June 20, 2025Supports Gun Control

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to require gun owners to store firearms safely, with penalties for violations. It passed the Senate 30-7 on June 6, 2024.

June 6, 2024Supports Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to raise the minimum age to buy guns or ammunition from 18 to 21. It passed the Senate 32-5 on June 14, 2022.

June 14, 2022Supports Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to ban carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in public, with exceptions such as hunting and police work. It passed the Senate 32-5 on June 14, 2022.

June 14, 2022Supports Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to ban buying a gun for someone who may not legally have one and to raise penalties for lying on gun purchase forms. It passed the Senate 26-12 on June 30, 2021.

June 30, 2021Supports Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the Julie Lynn Cardinal Act, which sends gun purchase applications to the buyer's local police as well as the State Police. It passed the Senate 33-4 on July 13, 2020.

July 13, 2020Supports Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to ban ghost guns and 3D-printed guns that metal detectors cannot find. It passed the Senate 34-4 on June 17, 2020.

June 17, 2020Supports Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to shield Rhode Island health care providers from lawsuits and prosecution by other states over reproductive and gender-affirming care. It passed the Senate 31-6 on June 13, 2024.

June 13, 2024Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to cover abortion in Medicaid and state employee health plans. It passed the Senate 24-13 on May 18, 2023.

May 18, 2023Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the Reproductive Privacy Act, which wrote abortion rights into state law. It passed the Senate 21-17 on June 19, 2019.

June 19, 2019Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for requiring voters to show identification at the polls, with a provisional ballot for those without it. It passed the Senate 27-6 on May 12, 2011.

May 12, 2011Supports Election Integrity

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 29, 2022, that requires credit bureaus to match a person's name as well as Social Security number before sharing a credit report.

June 29, 2022Supports Data Privacy

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on July 14, 2021, that made it unprofessional conduct for a doctor to do a pelvic exam on an unconscious or anesthetized patient without consent.

July 14, 2021Supports Civil Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 25, 2021, that bars health insurers from charging different premiums based on gender.

June 25, 2021Supports Civil Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. It passed the Senate 26-12 on April 24, 2013.

April 24, 2013Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 25, 2024, that updated banking laws and added consumer protections for money transmitters, including cryptocurrency businesses.

June 25, 2024Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 27, 2008, that made electronics makers take more responsibility for, and pay more of the cost of, recycling their old products.

June 27, 2008Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to bury part of a high-voltage power line in Providence and East Providence. Electric customers in those two cities pay the extra cost through their bills. It passed the Senate 28-9.

June 18, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to let Rhode Island's electric utility buy nuclear power and sign long-term contracts for it. It passed the Senate 23-14.

June 18, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on June 29, 2022, that requires dam safety standards to account for climate change effects on flood areas below dams.

June 29, 2022Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the Water Use and Government Efficiency Act of 2009, enacted on November 12, 2009, which changed how regulated water suppliers set rates to manage demand and pay for pipe repairs.

November 12, 2009Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Received the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island PAC for the 2026 election, announced on July 23, 2026.

July 23, 2026

Source: plannedparenthoodaction.org

Sponsored a law, signed on June 23, 2026, that makes the legislature the body that negotiates for the state on uses of state-owned underwater land larger than 25 acres.

June 23, 2026

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 23, 2026, that lets the state business regulation department seek grants for a program to help homeowners strengthen homes against storms.

June 23, 2026

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 2, 2025, that set a fixed property tax rate per kilowatt for renewable energy projects.

July 2, 2025

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 30, 2025, that shrank the state Coastal Resources Management Council to seven members, including the environment department director.

June 30, 2025

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Was chosen in January 2025 to chair the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee, replacing Sen. Alana DiMario. She had chaired that committee in earlier years.

January 3, 2025

Source: bostonglobe.com

Voted to require mail ballot drop boxes to open 35 days before an election. It passed the Senate 32-5 on June 11, 2024.

June 11, 2024

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the overhaul of the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, which changed how police discipline hearings work. It passed the Senate 33-4 on June 6, 2024.

June 6, 2024

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 29, 2022, that set up state licensing of genetic counselors.

June 29, 2022

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the Let RI Vote Act, which allowed mail voting without an excuse and dropped the witness or notary rule for mail ballots. It passed the Senate 32-6 on May 24, 2022.

May 24, 2022

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, which legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older. It passed the Senate 32-6 on May 24, 2022.

May 24, 2022

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for a two-year pilot of harm reduction centers, where people can use drugs they already have under medical supervision. It passed the Senate 30-7 on July 1, 2021.

July 1, 2021

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to require presidential candidates to file five years of federal tax returns with the state to be on the ballot. It passed the Senate 28-10 on April 10, 2019.

April 10, 2019

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on July 19, 2017, that created a division of marine fisheries within the state environment department.

July 19, 2017

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 12, 2016, that allowed licensed growers to grow industrial hemp in Rhode Island.

July 12, 2016

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for tolls on large commercial trucks to pay for bridge repairs. It passed the Senate 25-12 on February 11, 2016.

February 11, 2016

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 1, 2014, that created a new division of agriculture within the state environment department.

July 1, 2014

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 21, 2012, that created an advisory council on livestock welfare and care standards.

June 21, 2012

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 1, 2011, that created the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative to support local fishermen and seafood businesses.

July 1, 2011

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to let voters decide on allowing state-run casino gambling at Twin River and Newport Grand. It passed the Senate 21-14 on June 11, 2010.

June 11, 2010

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for making Rhode Island's medical marijuana law permanent and widening who can be a caregiver. It passed the Senate 28-5 on May 3, 2007.

May 3, 2007

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the Medical Marijuana Act, which protected seriously ill patients, their doctors and caregivers from arrest for medical marijuana use. It passed the Senate 30-5 on January 3, 2006.

January 3, 2006

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov