Rep. Joseph McNamara

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to include shared services as a factor when deciding whether to create regional school districts in Rhode Island. It requires the state education commissioner to form planning boards that study how combining resources could improve school quality, reduce costs, and address issues like small enrollment numbers or funding gaps. The study must examine specific impacts on student programs, transportation, class sizes, and local community needs before any regionalization occurs. Additionally, the legislation allows existing districts to opt out of state regulations by becoming autonomous districts, though these districts would no longer receive state education funding.

Requires transition planning for high school students with disabilities, who have a “504” plan, like the transition planning required for high school students with disabilities, who have an individualized education program (IEP).

Provides local agencies with a mechanism to opt-out of statewide transportation upon a showing of a cost-effective alternative to the current fee-for-service model.

Expands the deinstitutionalization subsidy aid program in the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals to include adoptive parent(s) or siblings(s).

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates an additional $117,600 to implement rate increases recommended by Rhode Island's health insurance commissioner. It directly affects the state's health insurance oversight office, providing funding to support commissioner-approved premium adjustments for insurers. The key mechanism is a budgetary allocation to cover these rate changes, ensuring the commissioner's recommendations can be executed. This is a procedural funding measure, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 7572 extends a 50-foot buffer zone around polling places that restricts political campaigning to include early voting locations, not just election day voting. This affects voters, candidates, and election officials by limiting political materials and displays near all voting sites. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly add "early voting" to the prohibition against distributing political materials or wearing campaign buttons within 50 feet of voting entrances. The change applies immediately upon passage and makes no other policy shifts.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month in Rhode Island to encourage residents to improve their personal finance skills. The resolution urges citizens to participate in financial education programs during the month and throughout the year. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the RI JumpStart Coalition to support these efforts.

Converts the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act into a continuing scholarship program at Rhode Island College, similar to the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship at the Community College of Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryHR 7811 is a joint resolution appropriating $500,000 from the state treasury for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund Rhode Island's GEAR UP program through Onward We Learn. This funding supports college access and success services for Rhode Island students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, including academic enrichment, career preparation, and scholarships of up to $4,500 annually for four years. The appropriation fulfills Rhode Island’s required dollar-for-dollar match for a federal GEAR UP grant administered by the state’s Office of Postsecondary Commissioner. The funds directly benefit students participating in Onward We Learn’s programs, which have historically provided over $55 million in scholarships to approximately 13,500 students.

Provides that adjunct faculty members at any state college or university who teach at least 50% of the hours regularly worked by full-time faculty in a semester would be eligible for the same medical benefits as other state employees.