Rep. Grace Diaz

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Rhode Island to highlight the importance of emotional and psychological well-being. It encourages citizens, schools, and healthcare providers to increase awareness and provide age-appropriate mental health education. The resolution calls for efforts to reduce stigma and help residents live healthier lives by promoting mental health resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that officially celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on May 19, 2026. It recognizes the organization's decade-long work in supporting Latino entrepreneurs, small businesses, and underserved communities through various programs like financial training and networking events. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the Chamber's leader, Oscar Mejias, as a formal acknowledgment of their contributions to Rhode Island's economy.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 22, 2026, as "Rhode Island Community Health Center Day" to honor the state's community health centers. It directly affects eight specific organizations across Rhode Island that provide affordable medical, dental, and behavioral care to over 200,000 residents annually. The resolution lists these centers by name and directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the proclamation to each organization. By establishing this official day, the bill aims to recognize the economic and social contributions of these facilities without changing any laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that congratulates RIPIN, a Rhode Island nonprofit organization, on its 35th anniversary. It recognizes the group's work in helping families navigate healthcare, special education, and aging services through peer support and advocacy. The resolution formally acknowledges RIPIN's role as a key resource for residents and authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the organization.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 10-16, 2026, as National Hospital Week in Rhode Island to honor healthcare workers and hospitals. It acknowledges the vital role hospitals play in providing medical care and supporting the state's economy. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Hospital Association of Rhode Island to mark the observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $200,000 in state funding to the Rhode Island Free Clinic for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is intended to support the clinic's mission of providing free medical care and preventive health services to uninsured adults who cannot afford healthcare. The funds will be drawn from the state treasury and paid out based on submitted financial vouchers. This appropriation directly affects the clinic's operations and ability to serve its target population.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution appropriates $500,000 from state funds to the United Way of Rhode Island for operational support of its 2-1-1 human services hotline. The 2-1-1 system provides Rhode Islanders with free, 24/7 access to confidential assistance - covering housing, healthcare, food, disaster response, and other critical services - in nearly 200 languages. The funding directly supports the hotline’s existing operations, which handled over 190,000 requests in 2023-2024. It does not create new services or policy changes but ensures continued access to an established resource for residents seeking immediate help.

Maddy summaryHR 7259 is a joint resolution appropriating $3,000,000 from the state treasury to the Rhode Island Food Bank for fiscal year 2026-2027. It directly supports the Food Bank’s operations, which serve 137 member agencies across Rhode Island, as federal SNAP benefits for approximately 32,000 residents are set to decrease or end due to recent federal legislation. The resolution authorizes the state controller to fund the Food Bank as needed through vouchers, addressing increased demand for food assistance amid rising food insecurity. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and it applies solely to state budget allocation for the Food Bank.

Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to Sojourner House to support its permanent housing development program that provides safe, secure housing to individuals and families fleeing from dangerous situations.