Restricts private vehicle property damage insurance coverage for a rental passenger vehicle, to the named insured and drivers on that private policy, unless the designated driver is specifically excluded.
Makes it an unfair claims practice for insurer to designate a motor vehicle a total loss if the cost to repair motor vehicle to its pre-accident condition is less than 75% to 80% of the fair market value.
Maddy summaryHB 5768 requires the DMV to provide pro-rata refunds for unused portions of vehicle registrations when owners voluntarily cancel their registration early. This directly affects vehicle owners who cancel registrations before expiration, such as those selling or retiring vehicles mid-cycle. The bill amends registration fee rules to allow refunds for unused time, calculated based on the remaining registration period. It does not change standard registration fees but adds a mechanism for credit when registrations are canceled voluntarily. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor on July 2, 2025.
Provides that when a registrant voluntarily cancels the registrant's motor vehicle registration, that person receives a credit for the time remaining on the original registration to be applied to a future registration.
Maddy summaryHB 5872 prohibits candidates, campaigns, political committees, and independent spenders from distributing deceptive or fraudulent synthetic media (AI-manipulated images, audio, or video falsely depicting a candidate) within 90 days of an election. It requires clear, prominent disclosures (visible text for visuals, spoken for audio) if such media is used, unless it qualifies as satire, parody, or is distributed by exempt media outlets like news organizations. The law allows affected candidates to seek court injunctions or damages for violations and exempts media companies acting as traditional news sources, satire, and platforms protected under federal law. It applies to election communications only and takes effect upon passage.
Changes the process by which a dispute between the insured and their insurance company, concerning property damages and requires that the umpire appraisers shall be disinterested and the cost shared equally.
Increases the maximum number of voters that a polling place can accommodate 3,000 to 3,500 and provide for existing polling places that exceed the maximum number of voters, not be required to be changed until the next decennial redistricting.
Allows the school building administration or teachers in all grades to provide the opportunity for students to observe a brief moment of silence on every September 11.
Maddy summaryHB 5557 updates Rhode Island's licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. It establishes biennial license renewals (every two years), requires maintaining a clinical certificate, and creates clear pathways for speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) to qualify with specific education and training. The bill directly affects licensed professionals and SLPAs by defining their scope of practice - such as assisting under supervision with screenings and therapy - while requiring documented training and supervision for SLPAs. Key changes include standardized renewal fees, inactive status options for non-practitioners, and detailed SLPA certification requirements like 18 graduate credit hours and 100 supervised clinical hours.
Mandates cosmetic medical procedures be performed by a physician, PA, APRN, or delegated to a qualified non-physician, non-PA or non-APRN under the supervision of a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.
