Rep. Earl Read

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (HR 7326) passed by the Rhode Island House on January 27, 2026. It formally honors Warwick Police Captain Charles Boisseau for his actions on July 5, 2025, when he rescued a Cranston family from a house fire. The resolution expresses the House's gratitude and thanks him for saving the family's lives. As a non-binding tribute, it has no policy impact or new legal requirements.

Requires anyone engaged in the sale of goods or services, and who offers a discount to its customers’ for utilizing automatic payment systems, via ACH or EFT or similar payment systems, provide the same discount to any person who is sixty-five (65).

Maddy summaryHB 7237 establishes a permanent 11-member joint committee (6 from the House, 5 from the Senate) to oversee Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). This committee will monitor DCYF's operations, consult with relevant agencies, and submit annual reports and recommendations to the legislature. All future bills or resolutions related to DCYF must be referred to this committee for review. The bill does not change DCYF's policies or funding but creates a new procedural mechanism for legislative oversight. It takes effect upon passage.

Amends and increase the membership of the commission to address flooding of the Pawtuxet River from eleven (11) to thirteen (13), and would extend the reporting date from March 2, 2026, to March 5, 2027, and expire on June 2, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 7087 would create a special Rhode Island motor vehicle license plate honoring Governor Roger Williams, the first governor of what became Rhode Island. Vehicle owners who apply would pay an additional $25 service fee and $5 transfer fee on top of regular registration costs, with $15 of the service fee covering plate manufacturing and distribution. The plate would replace standard registration plates and display "Governor Roger Williams" along with the state seal, available to any registered vehicle owner who chooses to purchase it. This is a commemorative plate with no substantive policy changes beyond the fee structure.

Maddy summaryHB 7086 designates rhythm and blues (defined as music blending pop, soul, funk, hip-hop, and electronic elements) as the state music. This ceremonial bill does not impose any new regulations, taxes, or obligations on residents or businesses - it solely establishes a symbolic recognition of the genre. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, adding this designation to the state's official emblems. It affects no individuals or entities directly, as it is purely a cultural and symbolic measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution designating January 9, 2026, as "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" in Rhode Island. It formally honors law enforcement officers for their service and urges citizens to show appreciation through actions like wearing blue clothing, writing thank-you notes, or participating in the annual Blue Blood Drive (January 1-14). The resolution has no binding policy changes and is purely symbolic, directing the Secretary of State to share it with the Rhode Island Fraternal Order of Police.

Creates a special registration plate for the private passenger motor vehicle for former fire chief of the Hopkins Hill Fire District, Frank M. Brown, Jr.

Provides that law enforcement officers who appears before the court for prosecution of a violation of a protective order shall self-certify that the officer has successfully completed a specialized domestic violence prosecution training course.

Provides additional exception to prohibition on usage of wireless communication device while driving and clarifies that use for purpose of navigation must be while the device is mounted or otherwise affixed to vehicle and not held in the motorist's hand.