Amends the penalty for violating the provisions of the personal watercraft safety act from a misdemeanor to a violation and reduce the fine from five hundred dollars ($500) to a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
Requires public school districts to adopt a policy for responding to the death of a student or staff member. Also amends the title of chapter 16-21.7 to "The Nathan Bruno, Jason Flatt, and Alicia Biros Bereavement Act."
Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally welcomes Boys Town New England to the Rhode Island State House on May 23, 2024, and thanks the organization for its work supporting children and families. The bill recognizes the nonprofit's history since 1917 and highlights its current impact, which includes serving over 20,000 individuals through residential care, foster programs, and community initiatives in Rhode Island. It also notes the organization's high financial rating from Charity Navigator and its use of a specific educational model focused on behavior and social skills. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send an official copy to the organization's leadership.
Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.
Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates May 2024 as Jewish American Heritage Month within the State of Rhode Island. The measure aims to recognize and celebrate the historical contributions and cultural significance of the Jewish community in the state, which includes approximately 18,750 residents. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the National Association of Jewish Legislators. The text highlights the community's long history in Rhode Island and its impact on American society, including roles in science, civil rights, and the arts.
This resolution would amend and expand the purpose of said legislative commission, and extend the reporting and expirations dates from March 15, 2024, to September 30, 2025, and said commission would expire on December 10, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-day sales tax holiday on August 10 and 11, 2024, allowing consumers to purchase certain items without paying sales tax. The tax break applies only to nonbusiness retail sales of tangible personal property, excluding specific goods like tobacco, fuel, electricity, vehicles, meals, and any single item priced over $2,500. While vendors do not need to collect sales tax on these qualifying purchases during the holiday, they must still file regular tax returns and report the sales. The bill also requires the state revenue director to report the amount of tax revenue forgone and file a detailed report with the legislature by the end of 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public official" in Rhode Island to explicitly include election officials and poll workers. By adding these individuals to the existing list, the legislation ensures that anyone who knowingly makes threats against them or their immediate families is charged with a felony. The penalty for such threats remains a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. This change directly affects the legal protections available to those administering elections and aims to cover threats motivated by hostility toward their public duties.
Creates the Rhode Island drug cost review commission.
Increases the number of state child care licensing inspectors to meet the national recommended average of one inspector for every fifty (50) to sixty (60) child care providers.
