Authorizes an increase in resource eligibility limits for persons with long-term-care needs who reside at home and requires semi-annual reports from Medicaid certified assisted living facilities and adult day service providers to the EOHHS.
Maddy summaryHB 5908 allows plaintiffs in civil lawsuits to seek punitive damages when defendants acted with "willful or wanton conduct" or showed "reckless disregard" for others' health, safety, or welfare. It directly affects individuals bringing civil cases against entities or people who caused harm through knowingly dangerous or heedless actions. The bill defines "willful or wanton conduct" as behavior the defendant knew or should have known was dangerous, done without regard for consequences or others' safety. This change would apply to civil cases, including those under specific statutes, and takes effect upon passage.
Maddy summaryHB 5907 would require litigation lending agreements (LLAs) to comply with Rhode Island's usury laws, making high-interest loans to litigants subject to state interest rate limits. It directly affects individuals involved in civil lawsuits who take such loans and the companies providing them, as repayment terms exceeding the loan amount would be treated as interest under existing usury rules. The bill explicitly states that no matter how lenders label these agreements (e.g., "investment" or "advance"), any repayment above the initial amount counts as interest and must adhere to state limits. This policy change would prevent lenders from circumventing usury laws through creative contract terms, ensuring all litigation financing aligns with standard loan regulations.
Requires developer who proposes to develop a project shall submit a comprehensive assessment of the project to each municipality where the project shall be physically located.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6028) officially recognizes March 2025 as "Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It symbolically raises public awareness about inheritable bleeding disorders like hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease, which affect an estimated 33,000 Rhode Island residents. The resolution has no new policies or funding; it simply declares the month to foster community support and educate the public, with a certified copy sent to the New England Hemophilia Association.
Maddy summaryHB 5685 requires casinos to pay overtime to workers who work on Sundays or designated holidays, such as New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Christmas. This bill directly affects casino employees in Rhode Island by removing their previous exemption from overtime pay requirements for holiday and Sunday work. The key change amends the definition of "employee" in labor law to exclude casino workers from the list of exempted occupations. The policy would take effect immediately upon passage, ensuring these workers receive overtime compensation for scheduled holiday and Sunday shifts.
Maddy summaryHB 5338 requires every public school system in the state to employ at least one certified school psychologist for every 500 enrolled students, effective September 1, 2027. School psychologists must be certified by the state department of elementary and secondary education. This policy directly affects all public schools statewide by mandating a specific staffing ratio to support student mental health and safety. The bill applies to all school systems regardless of size, with no exemptions specified in the text.
Creates the Old Growth Forest Protection Act to provide protection for state-owned forestland in their natural state prohibiting extractive logging and clearcutting in any forest on state-owned land.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution expressing condolences for Ann D. McCaffrey, a former Warwick public school special education teacher and community member. The bill formally extends the Rhode Island House of Representatives' deepest sympathy to her family, including her children (who hold political ties) and grandchildren. It does not create any new laws or policy changes - it solely serves as a formal memorial gesture. The resolution was passed unanimously by the House on February 25, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 5175 updates the definition of "infectious disease" to explicitly include COVID-19, ensuring firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are covered under existing notification and disability benefits. The bill expands the scope of diseases that trigger required employer notification after exposure and qualifies workers for occupational disability benefits if illness develops from such exposure. It directly affects emergency responders employed by fire departments, police departments, or emergency medical services. The change ensures these workers receive the same protections for COVID-19 exposure as they do for other diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C under current law.
