Rep. Joseph McNamara

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public official" to include school superintendents, principals, central office staff, and all other school employees. By making this change, it ensures that making threats against these individuals is treated as a criminal offense under the same rules currently applied to elected officials, judges, and law enforcement officers. The law specifies that such threats must be made because of the person's role or public duties and carry penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of $5,000, or both. This update directly affects schools by extending criminal protections to their staff and clarifies that threats motivated by hostility toward their positions are illegal.

Maddy summaryHB 7113 designates rhythm and blues as the official state music of the state. The bill defines this genre broadly to include elements of pop, soul, funk, hip-hop, and electronic music. Once passed, this designation becomes part of the state's official emblems and symbols.

Establishes the "Attendance for Success Act" that mandates requirements for attendance policies, and provides for multiple plans, reporting requirements and supports to address student absenteeism from school.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the nonprofit organization Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub to use special custom-designed license plates for its vehicles. Owners of these vehicles would pay a standard registration fee plus a $40 initial surcharge and a $10 annual renewal fee. The collected fees are split between the state's general fund and the organization, which must use its portion to support its mission of transporting WWII and Korean War veterans to Washington, DC memorials. The law also requires the organization to submit annual financial reports and mandates that any Rhode Island-sourced funds be used for local charitable causes.

Incorporates the department of elementary and secondary education's SurveyWorks school climate indicators for evaluating the performance of LEAs and individual public schools.

Allows victims of violent crime receiving awards under the state's crime victim compensation program to use up to $1,000 of their total award to make reasonable modification to their residence to ensure their future safety.

Establishes "workplace readiness week". It requires all public high schools, including charter schools, to annually observe that week by providing information to students on their rights as workers and specifies the topics that must be covered.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 59th annual Gaspee Days celebration and marks the 252nd anniversary of the burning of the British ship HMS Gaspee in 1772. The bill formally recognizes the historical significance of this event as a pivotal moment in the American Revolution and acknowledges the ongoing annual festivities held in Pawtuxet Village, Rhode Island. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Gaspee Days Committee chairman and encourages citizens to participate in the upcoming events.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally congratulates the North Kingstown High School team and their coach, Susan Erikson, for winning first place at the 41st Rhode Island Academic Decathlon in March 2024. The resolution recognizes the team's achievement in a statewide competition that tests high school students on subjects ranging from science and math to art and speech, noting that North Kingstown also earned the right to represent Rhode Island in the national contest. By passing this measure, the House of Representatives expresses official praise for the student athletes and their coach, and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the coach.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 21, 2024, as "Korea Day" in the State of Rhode Island to honor the state's Korean American community and its contributions to local culture and the economy. The resolution acknowledges the historical ties between Rhode Island and South Korea, including the service of Korean War veterans and the growth of trade between the two regions. It also recognizes the work of the Korean American Association of Rhode Island in promoting cultural exchange and friendship. Finally, the bill directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Korean American Association of Rhode Island and the Korean Consul General in Boston.