David A. Bennett

Voted to require doctors and hospitals to tell patients when artificial intelligence is used to write up their visit. It passed the House 51-14.

June 11, 2026Supports AI Regulation

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on June 19, 2026, that gave advanced practice registered nurses the same legal immunity as doctors.

June 19, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 19, 2023, that created a 27-month pilot letting psychiatric nurse practitioners certify the need for mental health treatment and involuntary commitment.

June 19, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 19, 2023, that capped the rates nurse staffing agencies can charge and stopped them from poaching staff from their clients.

June 19, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 22, 2020, that required the attorney general to check hospital sales and mergers for compliance with state antitrust law.

July 22, 2020Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 28, 2016, that required discharge planning for patients treated for addiction or opioid overdose and required insurers to cover it.

June 28, 2016Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 28, 2016, that required health plans with drug coverage to cover overdose-reversal medicine.

June 28, 2016Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 11, 2012, that set up a legal framework for medical orders for life-sustaining treatment, which record terminally ill patients' wishes.

June 11, 2012Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

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 House 51-16.

May 29, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on June 22, 2023, that banned polystyrene foam food containers at restaurants and other food businesses.

June 22, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to require that all of Rhode Island's electricity come from renewable sources by 2033. It passed the House 56-13.

June 14, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill making packaging producers redesign products to cut non-recyclable and toxic packaging and fund a recycling program. A House committee held it for further study.

February 17, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 7, 2021, that barred restaurants from handing out plastic straws unless a customer asks.

July 7, 2021Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to charge a fee on companies selling fossil fuels in Rhode Island and use the money for a climate resilience fund. A House committee held it for further study.

May 25, 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 House 53-22.

March 23, 2021Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 2, 2018, that had the health department set best practices for prescribing overdose-reversal medicine along with opioid painkillers.

July 2, 2018Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 28, 2018, that had the state medical examiner lead a team review of drug overdose deaths.

June 28, 2018Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 28, 2016, that required pharmacies to report opioid prescriptions to the state monitoring database within 24 hours and set limits on opioid amounts.

June 28, 2016Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 24, 2016, that banned selling powdered caffeine to anyone under 21.

June 24, 2016Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 10, 2015, that required middle and high schools to keep overdose-reversal drugs on hand for staff to use in emergencies.

July 10, 2015Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 24, 2025, that raised the minimum wage to $16 an hour in 2026 and $17 in 2027.

June 24, 2025Supports Reduce Wealth Gap

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the law, signed on May 20, 2021, that raised the minimum wage from $11.50 to $15 an hour over four years.

May 20, 2021Supports Reduce Wealth Gap

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on March 10, 2020, that raised the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour as of October 1, 2020.

March 10, 2020Supports Reduce Wealth Gap

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 17, 2015, that raised the minimum wage to $9.60 an hour starting in 2016. Also did the same on July 1, 2014.

June 17, 2015Supports Reduce Wealth Gap

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 15, 2013, that raised the minimum wage to $8.25 an hour starting in 2014.

July 15, 2013Supports Reduce Wealth Gap

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 20, 2012, that raised Rhode Island's minimum wage to $7.75 an hour starting in 2013.

June 20, 2012Supports Reduce Wealth Gap

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 22, 2026, that kept police union contract terms in force until a new contract or arbitration award is reached.

June 22, 2026Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 18, 2026, that kept firefighter union contract terms in force until a new contract or arbitration award is reached.

June 18, 2026Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 24, 2025, that raised the minimum wage to $16 an hour in 2026 and $17 in 2027.

June 24, 2025Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill to restore cost-of-living raises for state retirees who retired before July 2012. A House committee held it for further study.

May 18, 2023Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored the law, signed on May 20, 2021, that raised the minimum wage from $11.50 to $15 an hour over four years.

May 20, 2021Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on March 10, 2020, that raised the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour as of October 1, 2020.

March 10, 2020Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 5, 2017, that barred cities and towns from requiring their police officers and firefighters to live in Rhode Island.

July 5, 2017Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to require employers with 18 or more workers to give paid sick days, rising to five days a year. It passed the House 56-14.

June 29, 2017Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 17, 2015, that raised the minimum wage to $9.60 an hour starting in 2016. Also did the same on July 1, 2014.

June 17, 2015Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 15, 2013, that raised the minimum wage to $8.25 an hour starting in 2014.

July 15, 2013Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 20, 2012, that raised Rhode Island's minimum wage to $7.75 an hour starting in 2013.

June 20, 2012Supports Labor Rights

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 House 52-18.

June 10, 2025Opposes Cost of Living Reduction

Source: legiscan.com

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 House 56-17.

May 27, 2025Opposes Cost of Living Reduction

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to bar civil arrests at Rhode Island courthouses without a judge's warrant, which protects people going to court from immigration arrest. It passed the House 56-16.

June 10, 2026Supports Immigration

Source: legiscan.com

Introduced a bill to restore cost-of-living raises for state retirees who retired before July 2012. A House committee held it for further study.

May 18, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the 2011 overhaul of state and municipal worker pensions, which changed both benefits and worker contributions. It passed the House 57-15.

November 17, 2011Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on October 5, 2017, that required a defibrillator and a trained person at public places that hold 300 or more people.

October 5, 2017Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to bar civil arrests at Rhode Island courthouses without a judge's warrant, which protects people going to court from immigration arrest. It passed the House 56-16.

June 10, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to let people with more than one non-violent felony clear their records after 15 years without a new arrest. It passed the House 56-14.

June 9, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to let people with one felony and one misdemeanor clear the felony from their record after a waiting period, excluding violent crimes. It passed the House 54-19.

June 13, 2024Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to stop towns from using zoning to treat certified addiction recovery homes worse than other houses on the street. It passed the House 53-15.

June 11, 2026Supports Housing Affordability

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on July 11, 2013, that let adult siblings of people with developmental disabilities be paid as their shared living caregivers.

July 11, 2013Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to keep Rhode Island out of the new federal private-school voucher tax credit unless the legislature and governor both approve joining. It passed the House 55-14.

June 10, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against requiring gun owners to store firearms safely, with penalties for violations. It passed the House 46-24.

May 28, 2024Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against making it a felony to own gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. It passed the House 43-27.

June 10, 2022Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to raise the minimum age to buy guns or ammunition from 18 to 21. It passed the House 53-15.

June 10, 2022Supports Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against banning guns on school grounds, except for police and school security. It passed the House 44-28.

June 30, 2021Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against banning buying a gun for someone who is not allowed to have one and raising penalties for lying on gun purchase forms. It passed the House 46-27.

June 30, 2021Opposes Gun Control

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to take guns away from people under certain domestic violence restraining orders. It passed the House 56-13.

June 26, 2017Supports 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 House 50-15.

June 11, 2024Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to cover abortion in Medicaid and state employee health plans. It passed the House 49-24.

April 27, 2023Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for final passage of the Reproductive Privacy Act, which wrote abortion rights under Roe v. Wade into state law. It passed the House 45-29.

June 19, 2019Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against requiring voters to show proof of identity at the polls, with a provisional ballot for those without it. It passed the House 54-21.

June 30, 2011Opposes Election Integrity

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to require doctors and hospitals to tell patients when artificial intelligence is used to write up their visit. It passed the House 51-14.

June 11, 2026Supports Data Privacy

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on July 9, 2021, that kept the city or town where police officers live out of public records.

July 9, 2021Supports Data Privacy

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to stop towns from using zoning to treat certified addiction recovery homes worse than other houses on the street. It passed the House 53-15.

June 11, 2026Supports Civil Rights

Source: legiscan.com

Voted to shield Rhode Island health care providers from lawsuits and prosecution by other states over reproductive and gender-affirming care. It passed the House 50-15.

June 11, 2024Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.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 House 53-13.

May 17, 2022Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 15, 2013, that replaced the words "mental retardation" with "developmental disabilities" throughout state law.

July 15, 2013Supports Civil Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the final bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. It passed the House 56-15.

May 2, 2013Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for civil unions for same-sex couples. It passed the House 62-11.

May 19, 2011Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 19, 2023, that capped the rates nurse staffing agencies can charge and stopped them from poaching staff from their clients.

June 19, 2023Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill making packaging producers redesign products to cut non-recyclable and toxic packaging and fund a recycling program. A House committee held it for further study.

February 17, 2022Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 22, 2020, that required the attorney general to check hospital sales and mergers for compliance with state antitrust law.

July 22, 2020Supports 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 House 52-18.

June 10, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on June 15, 2022, that required contractors on public works jobs to follow industry standards for corrosion prevention.

June 15, 2022Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for tolls on large commercial trucks, with passenger cars barred from tolls, to pay for bridge repairs. It passed the House 52-21.

February 10, 2016Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against replacing the 10-member coastal council with a 7-member board of environmental experts. It passed the House 52-19.

June 20, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against banning the sale, manufacture and purchase of assault-style firearms in Rhode Island. It passed the House 44-28.

June 20, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against requiring police to send guns used in crimes for ballistic testing and enter the results in the national tracing database. It passed the House 49-21.

June 10, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Received Clean Water Action Rhode Island's endorsement for his 2024 House District 20 race.

August 9, 2024

Source: cleanwater.org

Voted for the House overhaul of the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, which set a new hearing panel for police discipline. It passed the House 58-14.

May 9, 2024

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to legalize online casino gambling (iGaming) in Rhode Island. It passed the House 59-11.

June 15, 2023

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and set up a state commission to regulate sales. It passed the House 55-16.

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 House 63-9.

June 29, 2021

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Was named chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee by Speaker Joe Shekarchi in January 2021.

January 30, 2021

Source: golocalprov.com

Sponsored a law, signed on July 12, 2011, that created a medical parole process for severely ill prison inmates.

July 12, 2011

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov