Makes the provisions of §§ 45-19.1-3 and 45-19.1-4, benefits for firefighters with cancer, effective regardless of any general, special or specific law, or any charter and/or municipal ordinance to the contrary.
Maddy summaryHB 6399 extends a temporary rule allowing nonprofit groups that sponsor special vehicle license plates to reduce their minimum initial order from 600 to 150 sets per plate type. This change, which was set to expire December 31, 2025, will now continue indefinitely. The bill directly affects nonprofit organizations that create cause-related or charity license plates by lowering their upfront financial commitment. It does not change the $30 per plate fee or the requirement for nonprofits to pay a nonrefundable fee for orders below 600 sets.
Protects the rights of employees in the workplace relating to free speech, assembly and religion, as well as attendance at employer-sponsored meetings regarding political or religious matters.
Maddy summaryHB 5871 prevents the amendment of historical vital records (births, marriages, and deaths) once they are transferred to the Rhode Island State Archives. Records become "historical" after 100 years for births/marriages or 50 years for deaths, at which point they are permanently moved to the state archives under the secretary of state's control. The bill ensures these archived records cannot be changed, preserving their historical integrity, while requiring electronic copies to be kept with local registrars for issuing certified copies to the public. This affects only records transferred to the archives, not current vital records managed by local registrars.
Maddy summaryHB 5098 creates a new vehicle registration category for "forestry vehicles" used in forest product operations. It requires these vehicles (like logging trucks or equipment used for harvesting, processing, or delivering wood products on public roads) to get special farm plates marked with a forestry symbol, instead of standard registration. The bill applies only to forestry businesses with annual revenue under $2.5 million, excluding commercial hauling services like sand/gravel transport. This change simplifies registration for small forestry operations conducting their own forest product activities.
Maddy summaryHB 6406 extends existing immunity protections under the Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Act to cover violations of bail conditions. It ensures individuals who seek medical help for an overdose or drug/alcohol emergency cannot face charges for violating bail, probation, or parole related to drug possession or alcohol offenses. The bill specifically adds Section 21-28.9-4(d) to the law, clarifying that seeking emergency care for an overdose prevents prosecution for bail violations tied to the same incident. This applies to people experiencing overdoses, those providing first aid, and others involved in emergency medical assistance.
Authorizes a pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern to perform technology-assisted dispensing process validation for medications prepared for distribution by another pharmacy technician or intern within an institutional pharmacy.
Permit the town of East Greenwich to deny issuance or renewal of licenses or permits for properties on which the taxes and/or assessments are in arrears.
Allows for the enactment of the dietitian licensure compact permitting a licensed dietitian from another state to become licensed within the state, and also permitting a dietitian licensed by the state to become licensed in another compact state.
Maddy summaryHB 5300 amends Rhode Island's criminal code to specifically include election officials and poll workers under the legal definition of "public officials" when addressing threats. This makes threats against these individuals - such as poll workers, election workers, wardens, moderators, and board members - a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. Previously, threats against similar roles might have been treated under broader or less specific provisions. The bill directly affects election workers who perform duties at polling places during elections, providing clearer legal protection for them. It takes effect immediately upon passage.
