Allows teachers, state and municipal employees to retire when they have at least twenty-eight (28) years of active service and their retirement age, when combined with the number of their years of service reaches, the number eighty-five (85).
Maddy summaryHB 7162 would modify Rhode Island's personal income tax calculation by allowing the exclusion of public pension benefits administered by the Employees Retirement System from federal adjusted gross income. This change directly affects state and local government retirees who receive pensions through the Employees Retirement System. The key provision adjusts how these pension payments are treated for tax purposes, effectively reducing taxable income for eligible recipients. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after its January 16, 2026, introduction.
Creates "Harter's Law" to extend the civil statute of limitations, for injuries resulting from first degree child abuse, to thirty-five (35) years and cap civil damages recovery at five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).
Recognizes that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and establishes new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors include comparisons of wages/hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs.
Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House Resolution that expresses condolences for the passing of Bernard W. George, a respected citizen of Coventry. The resolution honors his life achievements, including his long service with the Boy Scouts, his career in the U.S. Navy, and his work as a microbiologist for the State of Rhode Island. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his widow, Dawn George, and her family.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as School Library Month in Rhode Island to highlight the importance of school librarians and their role in student success. The resolution emphasizes how librarians help students develop literacy, critical thinking, and digital citizenship skills while providing access to diverse resources. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to the School Librarians of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Library Association to encourage public recognition of these services.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 19-25, 2026, as Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in Rhode Island to honor the work of lab staff. It formally recognizes these professionals for their essential role in patient testing and healthcare and thanks them for protecting residents' health. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the Department of Health and several local health and education leaders. The measure does not change laws or budgets; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment.
Provides that no contract between a dental plan or other healthcare entity and a dentist requires the dentist to accept exclusively by virtual credit cards.
Establishes a state-run prescription drug purchasing pool, available for participation by nonstate public employers, private employers, and health insurance carriers, to maximize the value of drug discounts available to participants.
Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates April 19-25, 2026, as "National Library Week" throughout Rhode Island. It aims to recognize the role of libraries in providing community resources, internet access, and inclusive services to residents. The resolution thanks library staff for their work and encourages the public to visit libraries during the designated week. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to the state's Office of Library and Information Services and all local libraries.
