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ARTICLE · 17 JULY 2025

Rhode Island Bans "Captive Audience" Meetings

Littler Mendelson
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Rhode Island law bans mandatory employer-sponsored meetings on "political" matters, which includes an employer's position on unionization.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Gregory Tumolo
Gregory Tumolo
Jillian Folger-Hartwell
Jillian Folger-Hartwell
Shannon Meade
Shannon Meade
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At a Glance

  • Rhode Island law bans mandatory employer-sponsored meetings on "political" matters, which includes an employer's position on unionization.
  • The new law creates a private right of action for aggrieved employees.

On July 2, 2025, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed into law House Bill No. 5506 SUB A. With the stroke of a pen, Rhode Island joined the growing list of states to ban mandatory employer-sponsored meetings regarding religious and "political matters."

The New Law

Based on its seemingly innocuous title, the new Section 28-7-50 of the Rhode Island General Laws is intended to promote and protect "[e]mployee rights of free speech in the workplace." However, a closer reading of the new law's definitions section reveals its true purpose: to impose a sweeping—and likely unconstitutional—ban on "captive audience" meetings.

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