This bill amends state laws to include shared services as a factor when deciding whether to create regional school districts in Rhode Island. It requires the state education commissioner to form planning boards that study how combining resources could improve school quality, reduce costs, and address issues like small enrollment numbers or funding gaps. The study must examine specific impacts on student programs, transportation, class sizes, and local community needs before any regionalization occurs. Additionally, the legislation allows existing districts to opt out of state regulations by becoming autonomous districts, though these districts would no longer receive state education funding.
Requires transition planning for high school students with disabilities, who have a “504” plan, like the transition planning required for high school students with disabilities, who have an individualized education program (IEP).
Authorizes municipalities to transfer, apply or provide doe an applicable prorate veteran’s property exemption for the remainder of the tax year when a veteran sells property and purchases another property.
This bill creates a property tax deferral program for senior citizens aged 62 and older, disabled citizens, and disabled veterans in Rhode Island. It allows eligible homeowners to postpone paying property taxes on their single-family dwellings until they sell the property, pass away, or transfer ownership, with the unpaid taxes becoming a lien on the property that accrues 6% annual interest. The program excludes homes with reverse mortgages or less than 20% equity, requires applicants to file claims in good faith, and allocates $2 million annually starting in 2027 to fund the deferred tax payments.
Allows for a tenant to withhold payment of rent and deposit the rent accruing into an escrow bearing account, upon the issuance of a second notice of violation by an enforcing officer for any state or local minimum housing code enforcement agency.
This bill establishes the Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act to protect personal health information related to reproductive and gender-affirming care from unauthorized collection and use. It defines specific categories of protected data, including gender-affirming care information and reproductive health details, and sets strict rules for how companies and organizations can collect, process, and share this information. The law requires clear, informed consent from individuals before their sensitive health data can be gathered, prohibits deceptive design practices that might trick users into sharing information, and restricts the use of broad terms of service agreements to obtain permission for data collection. The legislation primarily affects businesses and entities that handle consumer health data in Rhode Island, requiring them to implement specific privacy safeguards and obtain explicit authorization before processing sensitive reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare records.
Requires that the state’s share to support public library services in fiscal year 2027 be fixed at twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated and expended by the city or town in the second preceding fiscal year.
Mandates private equity companies or real estate investment trusts (REIT) seeking to invest in healthcare providers or provider-sponsored organizations in this state, submit a notice of material change with the AG and deposit a bond with the DOH.
Establishes a child tax credit in the amount of six hundred fifty dollars ($650) for eligible taxpayers adjusted for inflation annually commencing January 1, 2027.
This bill exempts parking fees for municipally operated beach parking in Middletown from Rhode Island sales tax. It amends existing state tax laws to clarify how various services, including transportation, pet care, and parking, are defined and taxed. The legislation specifically removes Middletown beach parking from the general definition of taxable parking services while maintaining tax liability for other parking facilities.
Increases reimbursement caps promulgated in 2018 and applies to eligible costs for library projects incurred from June 30, 2025 through June 30, 2031, or ending earlier if the Office of Library Information Services amends the regulations.
Authorizes municipalities, through ordinance, to require private real property owners to obtain a license to operate a dwelling unit as student housing.
