Rep. Arthur Handy

Maddy summaryHB 6369 allows the state Health Care Advocate to request a superior court appoint a temporary manager (receiver) for hospitals facing specific crises. It directly affects hospitals mismanaging assets, in severe financial distress, or operating in ways that risk patient safety or care quality. The bill requires the court to approve such a receiver if it helps manage the hospital, protects patients, or ensures compliance with hospital conversion laws. This provision streamlines the process by eliminating the need to prove irreparable harm, making it easier for the Advocate to intervene swiftly.

Imposes a seventy-five cent (0.75) surcharge on fares charged by rideshare companies as well as an account to benefit RIPTA from the payment of sales taxes collected from rideshares.

Maddy summaryHB 6368 prohibits insurance discrimination in Rhode Island health plans by expanding protections to cover race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), age, disability, and other categories. It bans insurers from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or imposing extra costs for specific services like gender-affirming care or reproductive health based on these protected characteristics. The law requires coverage decisions to be based on medical necessity, not discrimination, and applies to all health-benefit plans offered by insurance companies, hospitals, and healthcare entities in the state. This directly affects both insurance consumers and healthcare providers who must comply with these non-discrimination standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5992 amends Rhode Island's Works Program to allow lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to receive cash assistance benefits immediately, without the previous waiting period. The bill directly affects eligible immigrants who previously faced a delay in accessing state aid despite meeting other program requirements. This change removes a specific barrier by updating eligibility rules to grant immediate access to benefits for lawful permanent residents who qualify under the program's other criteria.

Maddy summaryHR 6017 would allocate $450,000 in state funds to the Rhode Island Food Bank for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This funding aims to address Rhode Island's food insecurity crisis, where 38% of households face difficulty accessing food and a $400 million funding gap is projected. The resolution directs the state controller to pay the funds upon receipt of proper documentation. This is a direct funding measure to support existing food bank operations, not a new program.

RDC), $250,000 TO HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL, AND $250,000 TO DORCAS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RHODE ISLAND (Authorizes $250,000 to REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC), $250,000 to HIGHER GROUND INTERNATIONAL, and $250,000 to DORCAS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RHODE ISLAND

Provides a three thousand dollar ($3,000) stipend to a qualified applicant who successfully completes the job training program of the department of human services or department of children, youth and families.

Maddy summaryHB 5475 proposes to exempt new and used bicycles from state sales and use taxes. This means that individuals purchasing a bicycle would no longer be charged sales tax on that transaction. The bill amends existing state laws that outline which goods and services are exempt from sales and use taxes, adding bicycles to that list. This change directly affects consumers who buy bicycles and businesses that sell them.

Submits the state's 2025 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling twenty five million dollars ($25,000,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026.

Submits 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds to the voters for approval at the November, 2026, general election.