Legislation Extends Stronger Safety Protections to Rail Workers in Rhode Island

After a year in which nearly half a dozen states passed laws championed by SMART-TD that strengthen safety protections for our rail and bus members, that trend continues in 2026.

New Law Extends Safety Protections to Railroad Workers

In New England, the Rhode Island General Assembly is considering legislation (H8432/S3164) that would amend the definition of “assaults” to include railroad workers who are engaged in the performance of their duties.

An “assault” is classified as “knowingly and willfully either (1) striking, or (2) spraying with a noxious chemical, commonly used as a personal defense weapon, including Mace” that covers a wide range of officials and public servants, including Rhode Island public transit authority bus drivers.

An attack that results in bodily harm would be classified as a felony and carry a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $1,500, or both.

Legislation is a Proactive Step as Assaults Continue to Rise

According to SMART-TD’s Bus & Transit Assault Prevention & Safety (BTAPS) Committee, the group has collected over 100 assault reports from workers and noted a particularly striking uptick in reported assaults over the past 30 days.

BTAPS Chairperson Cole Czub, who is leading the push for this legislation with SMART-TD’s New England Safety & Legislative Director Dave Stevenson, Assistant Safety and Legislative Director Chris Tyrrell, and the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, emphasized the need to fight back against a serious problem that continues to plague both passenger rail and transit workers nationwide.

“This bill is another tool that allows us to continue fighting back against the epidemic of transit violence that’s unfortunately showing no signs of slowing down,” said Czub. “While we’d love to eliminate the threat entirely, we know that’s a heavy lift. Holding perpetrators accountable for their violent behavior and ensuring that our passenger rail workers and bus operators can perform their jobs in the safest environment possible are strong first steps toward making that a reality one day.”

The Rhode Island legislation mirrors a similar bill that was signed into law late last year in Massachusetts and was spearheaded by Czub and Stevenson.

“Massachusetts takes assaults on transit workers seriously, and this bill would ensure our members are protected when those same trains cross the state line into Rhode Island,” explained SLD Stevenson.

New England Members: Stay Tuned for Ways That You Can Get Involved

As the bill prepares for its legislative journey (which will likely begin in the House), SMART-TD members in New England may be asked to contact their lawmakers or show their support in-person during committee hearings, actions that can help ensure the bill becomes law.

Together, we can strengthen protections for our brothers and sisters in yet another state and show that SMART-TD is leading the charge in the fight for safety.