Pamela J. Lauria

Sponsored a law, signed on June 22, 2026, that requires doctors and health facilities to tell patients when artificial intelligence is used to record their visits.

June 22, 2026Supports AI Regulation

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill creating a medical scholarship program for students who go into primary care. It passed the Senate 38-0 on June 4, 2026.

June 4, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

As co-chair of a legislative commission on the primary care shortage, joined its January 27, 2026 recommendation to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island.

January 27, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on January 23, 2026, creating a state program to lower out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income people who buy insurance through HealthSource RI. It was held in committee.

January 23, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on January 16, 2026, requiring emergency Medicaid to cover dialysis and kidney transplants. It was held in committee.

January 16, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 27, 2025, that lets pharmacists give a one-time refill of up to 100 days when the prescriber cannot be reached.

June 27, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 24, 2025, that lets pharmacists substitute equivalent drugs, devices and supplies for what was prescribed.

June 24, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill giving $500,000 a year to the Thundermist family medicine residency. It passed the Senate 36-0 on June 20, 2025, and the money was added to the state budget.

June 20, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Co-wrote a June 5, 2025 op-ed urging passage of a state program to keep individual health insurance affordable as federal help shrinks.

June 5, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on February 26, 2025, requiring health insurance to cover birth control, emergency contraception and voluntary sterilization. It was held in committee.

February 26, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on June 28, 2024, that requires hospitals to screen uninsured patients for Medicaid, Medicare and financial assistance.

June 28, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 17, 2024, that voids noncompete agreements limiting where or for whom advanced practice registered nurses can work.

June 17, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill creating a relief fund to help families pay medical bills for children with catastrophic illnesses. It passed the Senate 37-0 on June 11, 2024.

June 11, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill creating a state health department program to train doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants at primary care sites. It passed the Senate 37-0 on June 11, 2024.

June 11, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to create a state board that reviews drug prices and can set an affordable payment rate for costly drugs. It passed the Senate 29-8.

May 21, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on June 22, 2023, that requires health plans with drug coverage to cover at least one type of epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) with no copay or deductible.

June 22, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to guarantee individual health coverage regardless of preexisting conditions and to require ten basic health benefits in insurance plans. It passed the Senate 25-11.

June 14, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on March 7, 2023, letting the state penalize large drug makers for price increases not backed by evidence. It was held in committee.

March 7, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: webserver.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 bill requiring kratom products to be kept in locked cases until sold. It passed the Senate 37-1 on June 3, 2026.

June 3, 2026Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on July 1, 2025, that requires the state health department to teach the public and health workers about dementia risk factors and prevention.

July 1, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

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 Senate 27-7.

May 13, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on June 17, 2024, that requires the state's economic development plan to consider climate change, sea-level rise and coastal resilience.

June 17, 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.

June 12, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 24, 2024, that guarantees school lunch workers and aides pay for 180 days or the full school-year contract.

June 24, 2024Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 17, 2024, that voids noncompete agreements limiting where or for whom advanced practice registered nurses can work.

June 17, 2024Supports Labor Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

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

June 6, 2024Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for raising job-protected parental and family medical leave from 13 to 24 weeks over two years. It passed the Senate 30-6.

March 21, 2024Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to keep a local police union contract in force until a new contract or an arbitration award is reached. It passed the Senate 28-8.

May 11, 2023Supports Labor Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on June 14, 2023, that bars state health inspectors from inspecting a health care facility they owned, worked for or consulted for in the past two years.

June 14, 2023Supports Anti-Corruption

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 keep federal immigration agents at least 200 feet from any polling place while voting is going on. It passed the Senate 29-8.

June 9, 2026Supports Immigration

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on July 1, 2025, that bars health care facilities from asking patients about their immigration status.

July 1, 2025Supports Immigration

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill giving $500,000 a year to the Thundermist family medicine residency. It passed the Senate 36-0 on June 20, 2025, and the money was added to the state budget.

June 20, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 18, 2026, that requires bars and other alcohol sellers to give customers a drink lid on request, starting in 2027.

June 18, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on June 26, 2023, that added drugs such as xylazine, etizolam, tramadol and zolpidem to the state's controlled substance lists.

June 26, 2023Supports 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

Voted for statewide zoning rules that make it easier to build accessory dwelling units, such as backyard cottages. It passed the Senate 22-15.

June 13, 2024Supports Housing Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to require landlords with six or more units to keep security deposits in interest-bearing accounts and pay tenants the interest. It passed the Senate 26-10.

June 4, 2024Supports Housing Affordability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill requiring the state child welfare agency to save federal benefits owed to foster children instead of using them for the cost of care. It passed the Senate 38-0 on June 11, 2026.

June 11, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill requiring yearly inspections of assisted living homes with dementia care units. It passed the Senate 37-0 on May 28, 2026.

May 28, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on January 23, 2026, creating a state program to lower out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income people who buy insurance through HealthSource RI. It was held in committee.

January 23, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on January 16, 2026, requiring emergency Medicaid to cover dialysis and kidney transplants. It was held in committee.

January 16, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on June 28, 2024, that requires hospitals to screen uninsured patients for Medicaid, Medicare and financial assistance.

June 28, 2024Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 25, 2024, that lets sexual assault victims use a medical forensic exam instead of a police report to qualify for state crime victim compensation.

June 25, 2024Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill creating a relief fund to help families pay medical bills for children with catastrophic illnesses. It passed the Senate 37-0 on June 11, 2024.

June 11, 2024Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 20, 2023, that requires police and fire departments to name officers to act as safety advocates for older adults.

June 20, 2023Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 26, 2024, that requires schools to report on students' access to arts education and their arts proficiency.

June 26, 2024Supports Public Education Quality

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on February 13, 2026, letting gun violence victims sue gun makers and sellers that fail to use reasonable controls against illegal sales. It was held in committee.

February 13, 2026Supports Gun Control

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

Moved on the Senate floor on June 12, 2025, to send the assault weapons ban to the Finance Committee to force a vote. The Senate president ruled it out of order, upheld 20-17.

June 12, 2025Supports Gun Control

Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com

Sponsored the safe storage law, enacted on June 13, 2024, that requires gun owners to lock up firearms, sets penalties for violations and requires trigger locks with rifle and shotgun sales.

June 13, 2024Supports Gun Control

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill letting medication abortion labels show the practice's name instead of the prescriber's name. It passed the Senate 33-5 on June 4, 2026.

June 4, 2026Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on February 26, 2025, requiring health insurance to cover birth control, emergency contraception and voluntary sterilization. It was held in committee.

February 26, 2025Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for shielding Rhode Island health care providers from lawsuits and prosecution by other states over reproductive and gender-affirming care. It passed the Senate 31-6.

June 13, 2024Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for covering abortion in Medicaid and state employee health plans. It passed the Senate 24-13.

May 18, 2023Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted to keep federal immigration agents at least 200 feet from any polling place while voting is going on. It passed the Senate 29-8.

June 9, 2026Supports Election Integrity

Source: legiscan.com

Sponsored a law, signed on June 22, 2026, that requires doctors and health facilities to tell patients when artificial intelligence is used to record their visits.

June 22, 2026Supports Data Privacy

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for shielding Rhode Island health care providers from lawsuits and prosecution by other states over reproductive and gender-affirming care. It passed the Senate 31-6.

June 13, 2024Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the Freedom to Read Act, which bars public libraries from removing books over partisan or doctrinal objections. It passed the Senate 31-6.

May 30, 2024Supports Civil Rights

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Signed a June 15, 2026 letter with women legislators nationwide urging Congress to drop an amendment shielding rideshare and delivery companies from liability for sexual assault.

June 15, 2026Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on February 13, 2026, letting gun violence victims sue gun makers and sellers that fail to use reasonable controls against illegal sales. It was held in committee.

February 13, 2026Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted to create a state board that reviews drug prices and can set an affordable payment rate for costly drugs. It passed the Senate 29-8.

May 21, 2024Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Introduced a bill on March 7, 2023, letting the state penalize large drug makers for price increases not backed by evidence. It was held in committee.

March 7, 2023Supports 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

Received the endorsement of Clean Water Action Rhode Island for her 2026 Senate race.

August 10, 2026

Source: cleanwater.org

Received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island PAC for her 2026 Senate District 32 race.

July 23, 2026

Source: plannedparenthoodaction.org

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

June 19, 2026

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted against making 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, 2026

Source: legiscan.com

Voted for a bill letting survivors of child sexual abuse bring expired civil claims against institutions. It passed the Senate 37-0 on June 3, 2026.

June 3, 2026

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a bill protecting health care providers' apologies and expressions of sympathy from being used as proof of fault in lawsuits. It passed the Senate 32-5 on June 3, 2026.

June 3, 2026

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, enacted on April 10, 2026, that lets Barrington give a property tax credit to legally blind residents.

April 10, 2026

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 24, 2025, that gives candidates nine days instead of seven to request a recount.

June 24, 2025

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted against making kratom legal to sell to adults 21 and over under labeling rules. Opponents wanted the product kept off the shelf. It passed the Senate 23-10.

June 21, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against replacing the 10-member coastal council with a 7-member board of environmental experts. It passed the Senate 25-10.

June 20, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

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

June 18, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against requiring that cosmetic procedures at medical spas be done by a doctor or by supervised staff. It passed the Senate 28-9.

June 17, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Voted against treating a police officer's heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure as a job-related disability. It passed the Senate 29-8.

May 15, 2025

Source: legiscan.com

Received the endorsement of Clean Water Action Rhode Island for her 2024 Senate District 32 race.

August 9, 2024

Source: cleanwater.org

Sponsored a law, signed on June 26, 2024, that has the state pay East Providence its school aid in twelve monthly installments.

June 26, 2024

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Was named a 2024 Demand a Seat Lawmaker of the Year by Everytown for Gun Safety on June 21, 2024, for sponsoring the safe storage law.

June 21, 2024

Source: everytown.org

Voted against changing how town wetland buffer rules apply to development projects. It passed the Senate 20-16.

June 14, 2024

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against delaying cage-free housing rules for commercial egg-laying hens until 2030. The delay passed the Senate 29-7.

June 13, 2024

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Sponsored a law, signed on June 12, 2024, that requires the state education department to post type 1 diabetes information for parents of students.

June 12, 2024

Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov

Voted for requiring mail ballot drop boxes to open 35 days before an election. It passed the Senate 32-5.

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.

June 6, 2024

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for the state budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2023. It passed the Senate 33-4.

June 15, 2023

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted for raising campaign contribution limits for people and political action committees and changing other reporting rules. It passed the Senate 22-15.

June 15, 2023

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov

Voted against counting homes paid for with federal vouchers as low- and moderate-income housing for town housing targets. It passed the Senate 27-10.

June 13, 2023

Source: votes.rilegislature.gov