Makes technical amendments to the RI life science hub regarding the terms of the directors, advisory committees, powers, disposition of hub assets upon termination, and tax status as a governmental unit which is a separate legal entity from the state.
Recognizes the program run by the Rhode Island Medical Society or comparable program for physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and podiatrists, to address burnout, substance abuse, and mental and physical health issues.
Standardizes successor appointment language for various boards and adds language providing that a quorum be a majority of appointed members and the language applies across several healthcare professional boards that currently lack this language.
Increases from 7 days to 9 days the period of time in which a request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections and no certificates of election may be issued until the recount, if any, is completed.
Gives authority to the department of labor and training to enforce violations of the laws relating to corrosion prevention and mitigation work requirements. It also adds civil monetary penalties for violations of those laws.
Maddy summaryHB 5441 reduces the waiting period for expunging criminal records in Rhode Island. It shortens the timeframe to three years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and five years for felonies or multiple misdemeanors (two to five offenses). The bill applies to eligible first-time offenders who have paid all court fees and fines, excluding those convicted of violent crimes or specific offenses under Chapter 29 of Title 12. Expungement remains unavailable for violent offenses, and records related to decriminalized offenses can still be expunged after conviction.
Maddy summaryHB 5622 requires the state to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by July 1, 2025, enabling out-of-state medical providers to practice telemedicine in the state more easily. It directly affects patients seeking telehealth services and out-of-state doctors who want to provide care across state lines. The bill creates new rules allowing patients to access telemedicine from out-of-state providers under the compact and directs health agencies to develop implementing regulations. This changes how medical licensure is handled for telehealth, removing barriers for providers from participating states.
Mandates municipalities to participate in the parking mobility app program where individuals may submit photos on the app of vehicles that are parked in spaces designated for individuals with disabilities and the violator may be cited and fined.
Maddy summaryHB 6298 proposes three charter amendments for Warwick, pending voter approval in 2026. It would allow electronic notice for special council meetings (replacing current in-person/residence-only notice), raise the small procurement threshold from $2,500 to an adjustable amount via city ordinance (affecting purchasing decisions under $2,500), and require the city council to establish via ordinance how minority party members are appointed to city boards/commissions (using a list provided by the minority party leader). If approved by voters, these changes would take effect, streamlining meeting notifications, giving the council flexibility on procurement rules, and formalizing minority representation on boards. The bill passed both chambers and became law without the governor's signature but requires voter approval for the charter changes to take effect.
Maddy summaryHB 6320 requires that in the city of Warwick, the tax rate for Class 1 property (typically residential) cannot be less than 57% of the tax rate for Class 2 property (typically commercial). This establishes a fixed ratio between the two property classes, ensuring Class 1 rates are proportionally lower but not arbitrarily set. The bill directly affects property owners in Warwick, as it governs how local property taxes are classified and applied by the city assessor. It applies retroactively to the December 31, 2024, property assessment and became law without the Governor's signature on June 18, 2025.
