Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.
Maddy summaryHB 5835, titled "The Paul W. Crowley Rhode Island Student Investment Initiative," proposes to establish school-based councils at each public school in Providence, along with a central advisory board. These councils would be composed of principals, parents, teachers, community residents, and high school students, with members largely selected through elections. Their primary duties would include approving school improvement and expenditure plans, making recommendations on staffing and curriculum, and holding public meetings. The bill aims to enhance communication and foster stronger relationships between local schools, their communities, and the Providence public school board.
Maddy summaryHB 5113 amends the general powers and duties of school committees. This bill specifically mandates that school committees provide transportation services for any students who reside two (2) or more miles from their school. The legislation modifies an existing section of law to include this requirement, ensuring that students meeting the distance criteria are guaranteed access to school transportation.
Reduces the current varying percentages for early retirement penalty for teachers, municipal and state employees to a cumulative annual reduction of 3% and monthly reduction of .25%.
Provides for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ. The duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave.
Requires submission of a domestic violence/sexual assault reporting form when the domestic violence response or investigation involves a verbal argument or dispute.
Maddy summaryHB 5523 requires all public bodies to offer translation and interpretation services for their open meetings. This bill directly affects individuals who need language assistance, including American Sign Language (ASL), to understand or participate in these public proceedings. Public bodies would need to develop a "translation assistance plan" to ensure meeting accessibility upon request. These plans must be implemented by September 1, 2026.
Exempts teachers and state employees who have been retired for more than three (3) full calendar years, from having their retirement benefit adjustment reduced based upon the funded ratio of the employees' retirement system of Rhode Island.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6240 expands the provisions for limited registrations for dentists and establishes new limited registrations for dental hygienists. For dentists, it broadens the conditions under which a limited registration is granted, allowing practice in affiliated clinics and introducing a "special registration" after ten years of limited practice. This special registration allows dentists to practice in private offices accepting RIte Care without direct supervision, provided they split their time between an institution and the private practice. Additionally, the bill creates limited registration pathways for dental hygienists who are graduates of accredited programs, advanced dental students, or graduates of accredited dental colleges.
Directs the department of elementary and secondary education to provide a two-year pilot program that coordinates a national cultural exchange program for students of this state.
