Rep. Joseph Solomon

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 2026 as "Music in Our Schools Month" in Rhode Island to recognize the importance of music education in public schools. The resolution acknowledges the benefits of music programs for student engagement, creativity, and academic outcomes, particularly for at-risk students. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Rhode Island Music Education Association to formally support music educators in the state.

Requires that court sentencing a person for first degree sexual assault of first degree child molestation, have the approval of the victim before imposing any negotiated sentence upon the offender.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution expressing condolences for Catherine "Kitty" Petrarca, who recently passed away. It directly affects her family and friends by formally acknowledging her life and contributions to her community. The resolution highlights her roles as a devoted mother, church volunteer, and veteran supporter, and authorizes the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to her family. It serves as an official tribute rather than a policy change, recognizing her personal legacy and faith.

Maddy summaryHB 7341 requires school districts that send students to regional vocational schools for career and technical education (CTE) or pathways programs to receive regular updates on student progress from the receiving district, starting July 1, 2026. It mandates quarterly reports or immediate updates for significant changes, such as a student leaving the program. The bill also adjusts costs: if the receiving district’s program costs less than the home district’s per-pupil spending, the home district only pays the lower cost, and transportation costs are limited to actual expenses. This applies to all students enrolled in approved CTE or pathways programs outside their home district.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution expressing condolences for Manuel Pedroso, a 106-year-old Portuguese-American community leader from Rhode Island who passed away. The resolution acknowledges his lifelong contributions, including his work as a welder during World War II, his decades of operating Friends Market in Providence, and his role as a mentor to new Portuguese immigrants. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Pedroso's family, serving as an official tribute to his legacy rather than enacting new policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 84th anniversary of the Seabees, the United States Navy construction forces, on March 5, 2026. It formally congratulates the Seabees for their service and authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. The document highlights the Seabees' historical contributions during World War II and subsequent conflicts, recognizing their role in building vital infrastructure under challenging conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally recognizes and commends Rhode Island Energy and its workforce for their efforts during recent extreme winter weather events. It highlights the utility company's role in maintaining energy systems and restoring power after Winter Storm Fern and Winter Storm Hernando caused widespread outages and damage. The resolution acknowledges the contributions of over 1,300 union and non-union employees who worked to keep gas flowing and restore electricity to more than 99% of affected customers within 48 hours. The document directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Greg Cornett, President of Rhode Island Energy, as an official acknowledgment of their service.

Permits municipalities to enter into contracts with the department of transportation for the municipality to perform minor and routine maintenance work on state highways, roadways, and shoulders located within the municipality.

Maddy summaryHB 7536 requires health insurance companies in this state to cover specific pharmacist services that would otherwise be covered if provided by physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. It mandates coverage for services like medication management, immunizations, patient evaluations, and lab test ordering without requiring physician supervision or referrals. Health plans must include pharmacists in their medical provider networks (not just pharmacy drug networks) and cover these services both within and outside their networks when local providers aren't available. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and expires January 1, 2031, unless extended by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 7418 would establish medical and dental schools at the University of Rhode Island, authorizing the conferral of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degrees. The bill requires the schools to seek accreditation from medical (LCME) and dental (CODA) bodies and mandates clinical training partnerships with hospitals and health centers. It also allows the university to retain revenue from faculty practice plans to support educational, clinical, and research activities. The legislation directly affects Rhode Island residents by aiming to expand healthcare workforce capacity and improve access to care, particularly for underserved communities.