Rep. Chris Paplauskas

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6200) formally designates April 2025 as "National Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic proclamation urging Rhode Island residents, organizations, and government entities to recognize the month and support child abuse prevention efforts. The resolution emphasizes community collaboration, economic supports for families, and primary prevention strategies to address childhood trauma. It directly affects Rhode Island citizens and local child welfare stakeholders by encouraging awareness and partnership-building during April 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 6199 is a symbolic resolution designating April 2025 as "Child Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It urges all residents to support prevention through education and advocacy, but does not create new laws, funding, or requirements. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share certified copies with the Department of Children, Youth & Families and the Children's Advocacy Center. This is a commemorative measure focused on raising awareness, not implementing policy changes.

Expands the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate.

Maddy summaryHB 5690 would repeal Chapter 45-53 of Rhode Island's General Laws, titled "Low and Moderate Income Housing." This repeal would eliminate the existing legal framework requiring cities and towns to plan for and provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. The law previously mandated municipalities to adopt housing plans meeting specific affordability targets and included detailed definitions for terms like "affordable housing" and "local review board." This bill directly affects all Rhode Island cities and towns that previously operated under this housing chapter.

Maddy summaryHB 5583 restricts utility-scale solar projects (10 MW or larger) to locations on developed urban land, commercial properties, rooftops, or parking lots - banning development on forested land, farmland, or rural areas over one acre. It directly affects solar developers and landowners seeking to build large solar installations on undeveloped rural properties. The bill amends zoning laws to require that such projects serve existing developed areas rather than open rural landscapes. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.

Requires the public utilities commission to produce a report each January containing an analysis of the electric grid and its ability to supply the electricity needs to power cars, buildings and heat homes within the state.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (HR 6143), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally congratulates the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) women's basketball team for winning the NJCAA Region XXI Conference championship for the fourth consecutive year and earning a berth in the 2025 NJCAA Division III National Tournament. The resolution highlights their 24-6 record, 13-0 conference dominance, and key players like Stephanie Walker and Angelisse Melendez. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the team's head coach, Doug Haynes, as a ceremonial recognition of their athletic achievement.

Requires a municipality or quasi-public agency to file a report with the department of municipal finance if it has not made its payment to its other post-employment benefits trust fund or if it is less than thirty-five percent (35%) funded.

Maddy summaryHB 5356 caps application fees for healthcare facilities seeking certificates of need for new or expanded tertiary/specialty care services at $25,000 total. This directly affects hospitals or health systems applying for major facility expansions or specialized services, as their current fee structure (a base $10,000 plus 0.25% of capital costs) is now limited. The bill amends fee rules under Rhode Island’s certificate of need program, ensuring no applicant pays more than $25,000 regardless of project size. All other applications (non-tertiary/specialty) retain their existing $500-$750 base fees plus 0.25% of costs, with no cap applied.

Maddy summaryHB 5702 increases the maximum number of days retired municipal employees can work in a calendar year without losing pension benefits from 75 to 90 days. This change directly affects retired city or town employees who return to part-time work for their former employers. The bill allows them to earn income while keeping their pension intact for up to 90 days annually, with pension payments resuming if they exceed this limit. Exceptions include police officers working private details for non-government entities and retired employees serving as elected council or school committee members, who retain full pension benefits regardless of service time.