Prohibits payers from requiring uncompensated referral coordination by primary care providers, require either elimination of referral prior authorizations, and prevent denial of lab coverage based solely on diagnostic coding differences.
Allows primary care practices to offer optional fees for non-covered services while requiring equal medical care for all patients and protecting access to medically necessary services regardless of ability to pay.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates April 9, 2026, as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Rhode Island to honor the 1.5 million Armenians killed between 1915 and 1923. The bill also requests that the U.S. President and Congress urge the Turkish government to acknowledge the historical events as genocide and provide restitution for the victims. Additionally, the resolution expresses sympathy to the Armenian-American community in Rhode Island and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant state and national officials.
Creates the rebuttable presumption that joint legal custody and shared placement is in the best interest of the child and create a mechanism in constructing a parenting plan should the court deviate from equal parenting time.
Maddy summaryHB 7820 allows individuals convicted of crimes 40 or more years ago to petition courts to clear their criminal records, provided they have no recent charges or convictions and have paid all court fees. The bill creates a new eligibility window (40 years post-conviction) for expungement, excluding violent crimes like murder, sexual assault, and certain robberies or child abuse offenses. This change directly affects older individuals with clean records for decades, removing barriers to employment and housing while requiring court approval based on rehabilitation and public safety considerations.
Maddy summaryHB 7603 requires veterinarians to provide a consultation to pet owners whenever they prescribe, dispense, or furnish a drug to an animal patient in an outpatient setting. The consultation must cover the drug's name, administration details, storage instructions, missed dose procedures, and manufacturer warnings about severe side effects. This applies to all veterinarians in the state and mandates documentation of whether the consultation was offered or declined. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and allows veterinarians to delegate this task to registered veterinary technicians.
Provides that any person eighteen (18) years of age who is issued a license or permit may carry a stun gun. It would impose criminal penalties for a person to sell or transfer a stun gun to a person under the age of eighteen (18).
Maddy summaryHR 7707 is a legislative resolution appropriating $800,000 from the state treasury to support the operational costs of WaterFire Providence, a nonprofit arts organization. This funding, designated for fiscal year 2026-2027, directly supports WaterFire's year-round activities, including its signature river bonfire events and the WaterFire Arts Center. The resolution authorizes the state controller to pay the funds upon receipt of proper documentation. It does not alter existing laws or create new programs, but provides direct financial assistance to an organization cited for generating significant tourism revenue and community engagement in Providence.
Maddy summaryHB 7610 requires Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) to produce a comprehensive study by April 30, 2027, aimed at lowering energy rates for consumers. The study must compare Rhode Island's electric and gas rates with other states, review all state energy programs that increase costs, and identify policies or practices that could be changed to reduce bills. The PUC will use $100,000 in funding to hire consultants and develop a research plan, including recommendations for transparent "energy notes" on future legislation affecting costs. This bill directly affects Rhode Island residents who pay energy bills by directing state agencies to investigate cost-reduction strategies.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Rhode Island's Attorney General to commission an independent forensic audit of the Department of Transportation (DOT) within 30 days of the bill's passage. The audit will examine DOT's financial records, project management, asset maintenance, workforce practices, and use of federal funds to identify potential issues. It must be completed by January 1, 2027, using $450,000 from the DOT budget, and the final report will be publicly shared online. The audit applies directly to the DOT and requires all state agencies to cooperate fully with the review.
