The Rhode Island Veterans Home Staffing Support Act of 2026 establishes a framework to address workforce challenges at the Rhode Island veterans home. The act directs the Department of Administration to conduct a comprehensive workforce analysis within 60 days of its enactment, in consultation with the Department of Health, the Office of Veterans Services, and the administrator of the Rhode Island veterans home. This analysis will evaluate various factors, including wage competitiveness, shift differentials, recruitment and retention strategies, transportation and housing barriers, and staffing levels necessary to safely open additional beds.

Following the completion of the workforce analysis, the Department of Administration is required to submit a corrective action plan within 45 days. This plan will identify necessary wage or benefit adjustments, hiring incentives, job classification changes, and a proposed timeline for implementation, including recommendations for reopening closed beds.

The act also mandates a review and update of job classifications and pay grades for applicable veterans home positions to support achieving full operational capacity. The Department of Administration must complete this review and publish updated classifications by November 15, 2026, and transmit the updated classifications and any associated fiscal implications to the Senate Finance Committee, House Finance Committee, and relevant policy committees by November 25, 2026.

Additionally, the act emphasizes public reporting of the workforce analysis and corrective action plan, which will be made publicly available upon submission and transmitted to the auditor general. Implementation of any recommendations requiring state funding will be subject to legislative approval through the annual budget or other applicable appropriations processes.