Establishes the process to provide a legal mechanism whereby a terminally ill patient may choose to end their life using medications prescribed by a physician.
Requires all peace officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their vehicles or on their person police departments to budget sufficient funds to purchase the epinephrine and autoinjectors and for training of every peace officer.
Allows a municipality to set its own conveyance tax rate for residential properties sold in excess of $900,000.00 at $10 per $500. Provides collected taxes to be in a restricted account and distributed within 2 years for affordable housing.
Permits a nurse who has the appropriate knowledge, credentials and clinical competency, to provide home services foot care, which includes routine foot and nail care, as well as implementing a plan of care that includes hygiene and fingernails.
Maddy summaryHB 7244 requires the state to pay 50% of relocation costs for private utility companies (like electricity or gas providers) when highway projects necessitate moving their facilities. For public entities (such as cities, counties, or state agencies), the state covers 100% of these relocation costs. The bill applies specifically to highway projects on federal aid systems (like interstate highways) where the state receives federal funding. This change ensures that both private and public utility owners are compensated for relocation expenses tied to state highway construction, with no reimbursement for improvements ("betterment").
Requires the state investment commission to create a capital access initiative to expand potential investment opportunities for the state’s pension fund and engage qualified but traditionally underrepresented investment managers.
Maddy summaryHB 7558 repeals a law that allowed driver's licenses to be suspended for failure to pay traffic fines or court costs. Currently, drivers who didn't pay fines within court deadlines could face license suspension, though they could request a hearing to show financial hardship. This bill removes that suspension mechanism entirely, meaning unpaid traffic fines will no longer result in license loss. The change directly affects drivers with outstanding traffic violations by eliminating a specific penalty for non-payment.
Maddy summaryHB 7582 requires all public schools to conduct regular indoor air quality inspections - including HVAC system evaluations - at least once every five years. The inspections must assess environmental factors like temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10), and schools with HVAC systems must install filters meeting MERV 13 standards or the highest feasible level without harming system performance. Results must be shared with school principals, boards, and the education department, while the state must submit annual reports to the legislature on progress and funding needs for school air quality improvements. This bill directly affects public school buildings and their management, aiming to create healthier learning environments through science-based air quality standards.
Establishes a statewide "healthy school meals for all" universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.
Creates an intervenor compensation program to provide compensation in the form of grants for legal fees, expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs to an intervenor in both, energy siting board and public utilities commission proceedings.
