Prohibits insurance companies from paying a rate that is less than the approved Medicaid rate set by the executive office of health and human services.
Maddy summaryHB 5178 allows individuals with multiple non-violent felony convictions to request the removal of their criminal records after completing their sentences and waiting 10 years. It directly affects people who have served their sentences for two or more non-violent felonies, provided they have no new criminal convictions or outstanding court fees in the 10-year period and were not convicted of violent crimes. The bill amends existing law to permit expungement motions for multiple felony convictions after 10 years (previously limited to single offenses), with strict eligibility requirements including good moral character and no pending charges. This policy change aims to provide a clear pathway for record clearance while maintaining public safety safeguards.
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.
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, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 5257 establishes the Rhode Island Nursing Home Workforce Standards Advisory Board to set industry-wide standards for nursing home care. The 13-member board - representing employers, workers, community organizations, and health agencies - will advise state leaders on wages, benefits, working conditions, and training requirements for nursing home staff. It will recommend minimum statewide compensation standards and help ensure nursing home operators follow these guidelines. This bill directly affects nursing home workers, their employers, and residents by aiming to improve care quality through standardized workforce conditions. The board will operate under the Department of Labor and Training and begins work upon the bill's passage.
Maddy summaryHB 5662 creates a new criminal offense for real estate title fraud, defined as actions like forging signatures on deeds, filing false documents claiming property ownership, or falsely encumbering property. It requires sellers of unsolicited real estate offers to include clear warnings that the offer may not reflect fair market value or may be below the property’s assessed tax value. The bill also mandates that municipalities accepting electronic real estate filings require sufficient identification (like a driver’s license) to verify the filer’s identity, and makes such filings void without it. Victims of title fraud can sue for actual damages or $5,000 (whichever is greater) plus legal fees. The law takes effect upon passage, directly affecting homeowners, real estate professionals, and local government offices handling property records.
Maddy summaryHB 5245 creates a new income-sensitive energy assistance program to help low-income households afford home energy costs. It establishes a capped annual charge of up to $10 per customer (electric or gas) to fund credits for households enrolled in LIHEAP or Medicaid, targeting those with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The program requires electric and gas companies to apply these credits to eligible customers' bills, with discounts designed to limit energy costs to 3-6% of household income based on heating source. Annual funding is restricted to $6.5-$7.5 million, and the Public Utilities Commission must approve the charge rates each year.
Extends the forbearance of utility terminations for customers with serious illness certifications and would amend various provisions related to the termination of utility services for persons who are disabled, seriously ill, or in arrears.
Requires a housing code enforcement officer to give a copy of any housing code violation notice to all tenants of the building affected by a housing code violation along with any hearing dates scheduled for the violation.
Defines a quorum of the building code standards committee be a majority of the current board members and amends the state building code to require that sections provide that dwelling units from one to four (4) units use the international residential code.
