Rep. Marie Hopkins

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $90,000,000 to the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services to be invested in increasing reimbursement rates for all physicians and advanced practice providers.

Provides that a school district could elect and choose to not spend money on any mandate that is not fully funded through the state education aid formula.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 5392 amends "The Rhode Island Works Program" to ensure that families receiving cash assistance are also provided Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill adds a provision stating that if a family qualifies for cash assistance under Section 40-5.2-11, they will also be enrolled for assistance in SNAP, provided they meet the program's eligibility requirements. This change aims to streamline access to food assistance for families already receiving financial aid through the state's works program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law regarding the licensing and monitoring of child placement agencies and foster homes. It mandates that all out-of-state foster care placement facilities must register as a Medicaid provider with the state's medical assistance program. The director of the department can waive this Medicaid registration requirement on a case-by-case basis in emergencies, if no registered provider is available for a child's placement.

Increases the membership of the state crime laboratory commission from five (5) to nine (9). The overseer and co-executive secretaries of the commission have been changed to the deans of URI's colleges of pharmacy and engineering.

Maddy summaryHB 5496 proposes changes to the licensing and disciplinary processes for nurses, directly affecting licensed nurses, practical nurses, and the Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education. The bill alters the composition of the Board of Nursing by adjusting the number of professional and practical nurse members and extending term limits. It expands the Board's powers to include requiring licensees to undergo physical or psychiatric examinations if impairment is suspected, and referring them to non-disciplinary alternative programs. Additionally, it updates language regarding practical nurse qualifications and license renewal notices.

Requires the DOH and the EOHHS to collaborate with community health centers to establish new programs designed to attract federal funds, with a focus on the utilization of Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education programs.

Amends the administrative procedures act and provides that on the review of an agency decision by a court upon appeal, the court shall decide questions of law without deference to any previous determination or interpretation of the law by the agency.

Provides that fees for costs charged for search, retrieval or copying of public records shall be waived for members of the general assembly who certify that they are acting in their official capacity.

Maddy summaryHB 5177, known as "Harter's Law," extends the civil statute of limitations for individuals who have suffered injuries resulting from first-degree child abuse. This bill changes the time limit for bringing a civil lawsuit from the standard three years to thirty-five years after the cause of action accrues. For a child, this thirty-five-year period does not begin until they turn eighteen years old. This policy directly affects survivors of first-degree child abuse by giving them significantly more time to pursue legal action for their injuries.