Rep. Arthur Handy

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Creates rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities that choose to participate. Reports to be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and submitted to the department of environmental management.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally recognizes June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Rhode Island for the year 2026. The bill commemorates the date in 1865 when news of the abolition of slavery finally reached enslaved people in Texas, marking the end of more than two centuries of bondage. It urges citizens to observe the day to honor the historical significance of emancipation and to learn about the experiences of African Americans. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Governor, serving as an official state acknowledgment rather than a new law.

Maddy summaryHB 7083 would allow the city of Cranston to create a dedicated housing division within its municipal court. This division would handle cases involving violations of local housing rules, including zoning, minimum housing standards, building codes, and property maintenance regulations. The housing division could impose fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail for these violations and would hear cases separately from other municipal court matters. Appeals from housing division decisions would go to the district court, not the superior court. This change directly affects Cranston residents and property owners who face housing code enforcement actions.

Repeals the older of the two existing chapters related to speech-language pathologists and audiologists and makes several amendments to reconcile the two statutes into one.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Rhode Island's Department of Health to join international public health collaboration networks aimed at detecting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks. It allows the department to enter into agreements with federal agencies, international organizations, and academic institutions to share expertise, training, and surveillance data while maintaining privacy protections. The legislation also permits the state to designate specific offices or laboratories as partners in these networks and to provide voluntary assistance during global outbreak responses. Additionally, the bill requires coordination with federal authorities like the CDC and ensures that no regulatory authority is transferred to international organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 7726, the Solar Cost Reduction Act, streamlines permitting for residential solar installations by creating a statewide automated platform. It requires municipalities to adopt a "smart solar permitting platform" that instantly issues permits for compliant applications (like rooftop solar systems under 25 kW) without manual review, while banning additional engineering documentation for eligible projects. Homeowners and installers benefit from faster permits, electronic submissions, and remote inspection options by 2027, while municipalities retain authority over local fees and retain all permit revenue. The bill also establishes a public repository of all local solar ordinances to standardize requirements across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 7789 is a definitional bill that clarifies vehicle classifications in Rhode Island law, primarily affecting owners of antique vehicles, recreational vehicles, and new mobility devices. It defines terms like "antique motor car" (vehicles over 25 years old, restricted to exhibitions/limited use without full inspection), "camping recreational vehicle," and "electric personal assistive mobility device" (EPAMD, limited to 15 mph). The bill does not create new rules but standardizes existing terminology for registration, operation, and safety requirements. It directly impacts vehicle owners, registrants, and law enforcement by establishing clear categories for enforcement and compliance. As a procedural definitions bill, it has no operational changes beyond clarifying existing code provisions.

Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution officially designates June 2026 as "Pride Month" in Rhode Island to honor the history and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but instead serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the state's anti-discrimination protections and the significance of the annual PrideFest celebration. By directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Rhode Island Pride, the measure formally acknowledges the cultural importance of the month's events.