This bill proposes to repeal the collateral source rule specifically for medical malpractice cases. Currently, this rule allows defendants to introduce evidence showing that a patient has received or will receive benefits from sources like health insurance or workers' compensation, which can then be used to reduce the damages awarded by a jury. If passed, the law would no longer permit defendants to present this financial information to the jury, thereby preventing any reduction of the final damage award based on those external payments. The change would directly affect licensed physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who currently rely on this rule during litigation.
This bill amends state law to allow plaintiffs in civil lawsuits to seek punitive damages if a defendant engages in willful, wanton, or reckless conduct that disregards the safety and welfare of others. The legislation defines such conduct as actions where the defendant knew or should have known the behavior was dangerous, yet proceeded heedlessly without regard for the rights or safety of people who might be harmed. Directly affecting individuals involved in civil cases, the measure would enable courts to award additional financial penalties beyond standard compensation when evidence proves the defendant's behavior met these specific criteria. The changes would become effective immediately upon the bill's passage.
This bill proposes to apply Rhode Island's existing state usury laws to litigation lending agreements, which are contracts where third parties provide money to people involved in lawsuits in exchange for repayment from the lawsuit's settlement or judgment. By reclassifying these financial arrangements as loans, the legislation aims to cap the effective interest rates charged to litigants, preventing them from paying rates that often exceed 100% annually. The measure specifically targets the total amount a litigant must repay compared to what they received, regardless of how the contract labels the fees or whether the repayment depends on winning the case. If passed, this change would directly affect companies that fund legal cases and the individuals who sign agreements with them, ensuring such deals comply with standard state lending regulations.
Establishes a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, unless approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.
Precludes a legal entity from owning property whose value is over $25,000,000. If the property value exceeds $25,000,000, then the entity must divest a graduated yearly amount over the next 10 years, until value is less than $25,000,000.
This bill establishes the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act to prevent discrimination in voting by creating new legal standards that political subdivisions must follow. It prohibits election policies or practices that disproportionately affect protected classes based on race, color, language, disability, or other characteristics, without requiring proof of intentional discrimination to establish a violation. The law also addresses vote dilution by restricting election methods that impair the ability of protected groups to elect candidates of their choice, particularly when racially polarized voting is present. Local governments and election administrators would need to ensure their procedures do not create material disparities in voter access or participation opportunities.
Clarifies that the three-year final average compensation provision for retiring members of the state police applies to the superintendent and all members eligible and who retire on or after July 1, 2024.
This bill creates a nine-member Special Joint Legislative Commission on City and Town Affairs to improve coordination between Rhode Island's state government and its 39 municipalities. The commission would include legislators, the governor's representative, and municipal leaders from rural, suburban, and urban areas to review policies, identify barriers to local governance, and provide early consultation on state legislation affecting towns and cities. Members would serve without pay and must submit a final report by December 31, 2026, with the commission expiring on January 31, 2027.
Changes the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2009, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2009, cutoff date.
Addresses any single-family construction, townhouse construction, and multi-family construction complying with the Standards for Visitable Units of the ANSI' Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2027.
Limits the use by insurers of step therapy, a protocol that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer, by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions.
