Grants an affirmative defense for certain privileged communications, including communications made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination.
Establishes a digital electronics right to repair, which allows for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2027, to be repaired at an independent repair provider.
Requires that student mentors in public schools be certified support educators, ensuring mentors have professional training, established student relationships, and access to skills and information needed to support student success.
Replaces the existing chapter on this subject by requiring school districts to organize concussion oversight teams, develop removal-from-play, return-to-play, and return-to-learn protocols, and develop a concussion brochure.
Maddy summaryHB 8044 would treat fraud involving gift cards as theft (larceny), applying the same penalties to offenders. This directly affects gift card holders who are victims of fraud, such as when cards are stolen, duplicated, or sold without authorization. The bill’s key mechanism is amending commercial law to align gift card fraud offenses with existing larceny penalties under state law. This change would make fraud against gift card users subject to the same legal consequences as stealing physical property.
Maddy summaryHB 7417 requires every public school in Rhode Island (including charter and vocational schools) to have a dedicated library space and a certified school librarian. It mandates specific library resources like book collections, technology, and daily student access, with staffing requirements phased in: full-time librarians for schools of 250+ students immediately, high schools by 2026-27, and all K-12 schools by 2030-31. The bill directs the education commissioner to enforce these standards, ensuring consistent library access and qualified staff. This legislation applies to all public schools and is pending passage.
Maddy summaryHB 8024 exempts Project Hand Up's property in West Warwick from local property taxes. This includes land, buildings, and physical assets owned by the nonprofit organization. The bill directly removes Project Hand Up's property tax obligations in West Warwick. It was introduced in February 2026 and is pending committee review.
Establishes a restricted receipt account at the DLT for hospitality industry workforce training grants, funded by an annual $50 dollar fee to be charged by RIDOH to food service establishments.
Establishes the commuter transportation benefit chapter. Employers with five hundred (500) or more employees required to establish a pre-tax commuter transportation fringe benefit program.
Mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.
