Amends the membership of the permanent legislative commission on child care with twenty-seven (27) members to ensure that the state has high quality and affordable childcare and early learning services network.
Exempts certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland.
Maddy summaryHB 7371 sets a statewide maximum limit of 12 children for family child care homes, overriding local zoning rules that might allow larger groups. This bill directly affects family child care providers operating out of residential homes across the state. The key provision establishes a uniform statewide standard, ensuring all such homes comply with this size limit regardless of local regulations. The bill aims to standardize child care capacity rules to enhance safety and consistency for families. It is currently pending a committee hearing as of February 2026.
Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges.
Under the emergency fund for victims, increases the share of a victim’s total award that may be used for relocation related expenses but not increase total compensation available to a victim.
Maddy summaryHB 7090 changes the date for primary elections that select delegates to national political conventions and determine presidential preferences. It moves the election from the fourth Tuesday in April to the first Tuesday in March starting in 2028, with this schedule applying every four years thereafter. The bill includes a temporary exception for the 2024 election, which will remain on April 2, 2024. This procedural change affects all political parties conducting these delegate elections in the state. The bill requires no new funding or policy shifts, only adjusting the election timing.
Incorporates broadband, internet, and wireless means into the crime of injuring electric and communication lines and authorizes municipalities to grant zoning relief for the protection of critical infrastructure.
Maddy summaryThis Rhode Island House resolution officially designates July 2026 as "Disability Awareness and Disability Pride Month" to honor the contributions of people with disabilities and the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The measure encourages state agencies, schools, businesses, and community groups to promote accessibility and inclusion during that month. Additionally, the resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to Tina Guenette of Real Access Motivates Progress.
Maddy summaryHB 7083 would allow the city of Cranston to create a dedicated housing division within its municipal court. This division would handle cases involving violations of local housing rules, including zoning, minimum housing standards, building codes, and property maintenance regulations. The housing division could impose fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail for these violations and would hear cases separately from other municipal court matters. Appeals from housing division decisions would go to the district court, not the superior court. This change directly affects Cranston residents and property owners who face housing code enforcement actions.
Maddy summaryHB 7357 creates the "Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act" to protect sensitive health information in Rhode Island. It directly affects residents whose data relates to gender-affirming care or reproductive health, and the healthcare providers or businesses handling that data. The law requires explicit, opt-in consent for collecting such data, prohibits deceptive practices for obtaining consent, and defines protected data to include not only direct health information but also derived data (like location patterns or algorithmic inferences) tied to these services. It explicitly excludes publicly available or de-identified research data from coverage.
