This Wage and Hour Law Firm Publication discusses a new law signed by Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo increasing the minimum wage in Rhode Island from $9.00 to $9.60 an hour, effective on January 1, 2016. This marks the fourth straight year that Rhode Island has increased the state minimum wage and matches the minimum wage rate of nearby states, Connecticut and Vermont. The increase in the minimum wage also affects other wage and hour provisions, including the required criteria for an employer to be able to pay its employees on a biweely basis.