Rep. Edith Ajello

Maddy summaryHB 5857 creates the "Reproductive Freedom and Gender-Affirming Care Health Data Privacy Act" to protect sensitive health information for Rhode Island residents. The bill specifically defines "consumer health data" to include information related to reproductive or sexual health and gender-affirming care. It requires explicit, informed consent from consumers before regulated entities or small businesses can collect, process, or transfer this protected health data. The act also clarifies what constitutes valid consent, prohibiting practices like deceptive designs or inferring consent from inaction.

Maddy summaryHB 5335 proposes to terminate the extended turnaround plan for the Providence public school district (PPSD). Specifically, the bill would nullify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's decision from August 29, 2024, which extended the PPSD's turnaround action plan until October 15, 2027. If enacted, this means the PPSD would no longer be operating under that particular extended turnaround status. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5835, titled "The Paul W. Crowley Rhode Island Student Investment Initiative," proposes to establish school-based councils at each public school in Providence, along with a central advisory board. These councils would be composed of principals, parents, teachers, community residents, and high school students, with members largely selected through elections. Their primary duties would include approving school improvement and expenditure plans, making recommendations on staffing and curriculum, and holding public meetings. The bill aims to enhance communication and foster stronger relationships between local schools, their communities, and the Providence public school board.

Maddy summaryHB 5113 amends the general powers and duties of school committees. This bill specifically mandates that school committees provide transportation services for any students who reside two (2) or more miles from their school. The legislation modifies an existing section of law to include this requirement, ensuring that students meeting the distance criteria are guaranteed access to school transportation.

Requires the department of education to develop and make available for use in all schools a mental health curriculum. School districts would be required to provide four (4) hours of mental health instruction to seventh grade students.

Directs the council on elementary and secondary education to develop recommendations for a high school curriculum to prepare students for successful postsecondary education and careers in computer science.

Allows municipalities to enact ordinances that would permit municipalities and water suppliers to enter properties to perform lead service line replacements and permit tenants to request and schedule private side lead service line replacements.

Permits the family court to award custody of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.

Maddy summaryHB 5368 is an act that modifies the state law governing the maximum amount of local taxes cities and towns can levy. This bill specifically allows the City of Providence to exceed the standard tax levy cap for its fiscal year 2026. Normally, municipalities are limited to a certain percentage increase in their total tax levy each year, but this legislation would create a temporary exemption for Providence. This directly affects the City of Providence's ability to raise tax revenue and its taxpayers for that fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 6034 blocks new applications for "network charter schools" (multiple schools operated under a single management structure) and prevents expansions of existing charter schools that would create such networks. The bill does not affect individual charter schools or the existing 35-school cap, but specifically halts the creation of new multi-school networks. It directly impacts organizations seeking to launch or expand networked charter systems, including potential applicants and existing charter operators considering growth. The law takes effect immediately upon passage and preserves existing charters while restricting new network formations.