Ends transaction fees for school lunches in all districts. This act requires at least one no-fee payment method for school lunches and a full disclosure whether fees will be charged by a payment platform.
Requires that before any fire fighter or police officer is eligible to receive benefits for illness or injury sustained off duty, they prove they had reasonable grounds to believe that an emergency existed that required immediate need of their assistance.
Expands the requirement that all high schools and middle schools, whether they are publicly or privately run to maintain on site a functional AED while establishing and implementing a cardiac emergency response plan in these schools.
Provides that any schools days a public school is closed due to a declared state of emergency be deemed excused for purposes of compliance with minimum school days calendar requirements.
Requires public schools to give congressionally chartered youth organizations limited access for recruitment and brief student presentations with parent notice, while preserving school safety and discretion.
Maddy summaryHB 8215 would allow tenants with disabilities to formally request permission to keep emotional support animals in rental housing under Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act. This directly affects renters with disabilities who rely on emotional support animals and landlords who manage rental properties. The key provision requires landlords to consider such requests without automatically denying them, aligning with fair housing standards. The bill does not guarantee approval but establishes a process for tenants to seek accommodations for their disability-related needs.
Mandates the use of a soft-shell helmet cover device that adds a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of a traditional football helmet, for students participating in Rhode Island interscholastic league football
Maddy summaryHB 7152 increases the property tax exemption for veterans from $1,000 to $6,000 specifically for municipal taxes. This directly affects veterans who own property in municipalities covered by this bill. The key provision raises the exemption amount, reducing the taxable value of their primary residence. The bill is currently pending in the House Municipal Government & Housing committee after being referred on January 16, 2026.
Prohibits any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates June 4, 2026, as "Cox Impact Day" in Rhode Island to honor Cox Communications for its charitable contributions. The measure acknowledges the company's history of funding STEM and community programs through Cox Charities and lists specific local organizations that received grants in 2026. It does not alter any laws or policies but serves to publicly recognize the broadband provider's philanthropic efforts in the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to Cox Communications officials.
