Rep. Pat Serpa

Maddy summaryThis bill expands educational benefits for members of the Rhode Island National Guard and their immediate family dependents. It allows National Guard members in good standing to allocate their tuition assistance benefits, which cover up to five courses per semester, to their dependents for use at Rhode Island state colleges or universities. To receive these benefits, both the National Guard member must remain in good standing with the Guard, and the student (member or dependent) must be in good academic standing. Participants agree to one year of additional service in the National Guard for every twelve course credits received, with provisions for repayment if service obligations or academic requirements are not met.

Requires grocery stores to specifically limit the number of self-service checkout units to six (6) units per location. The consumer protection unit of the department of attorney general would have authority to enforce these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 5736 amends existing law concerning public health dental hygienists, primarily to expand the sources from which they can receive reimbursement for their services. Currently, these hygienists are largely limited to reimbursement from Medicaid or state healthcare insurance programs. The bill would permit public health dental hygienists, or the agencies they work for, to seek reimbursement from "other insurance" or third-party payors, including Medicare. This applies to services provided in public health settings such as schools, nursing homes, and community health centers, often performed without immediate dentist supervision under a collaborative agreement. The bill also maintains requirements for patient consent and referrals for further dental examinations.

Establishes Medicaid fee-for-service reimbursement rates set by the general assembly as the rate floor for Medicaid managed care by home care, home nursing care and hospice providers licensed by the DOH and continue the EEOHH.

Requires reimbursement for medical, dental, and behavioral health services provided at community health care centers to equal the lesser of the actual cost, based on Medicaid reports, or 125% of the median rate for all community health centers within RI.

Maddy summaryHB 5466 proposes to increase the monthly personal needs allowance for residents in nursing facilities who receive medical assistance. The bill would raise this allowance from seventy-five dollars ($75.00) to one hundred dollars ($100.00) per month. This change directly affects these nursing facility residents by providing them with an additional $25 each month for their personal expenses. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Provides $4,000,000 to support comprehensive and effective afterschool, school vacation, summer learning and workforce development programs for students in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12).

Makes changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6266 celebrates "Administrative Professionals' Day" on April 23, 2025. This resolution specifically thanks the dedicated administrative staff who work in support of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

Requires persons convicted of driving under influence or refusal to submit to chemical test, have an ignition interlock system installed in vehicle as part of sentence and to pay an assessment to pay for the interlock systems.