Rep. Sherry Roberts

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6200) formally designates April 2025 as "National Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic proclamation urging Rhode Island residents, organizations, and government entities to recognize the month and support child abuse prevention efforts. The resolution emphasizes community collaboration, economic supports for families, and primary prevention strategies to address childhood trauma. It directly affects Rhode Island citizens and local child welfare stakeholders by encouraging awareness and partnership-building during April 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 6199 is a symbolic resolution designating April 2025 as "Child Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It urges all residents to support prevention through education and advocacy, but does not create new laws, funding, or requirements. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share certified copies with the Department of Children, Youth & Families and the Children's Advocacy Center. This is a commemorative measure focused on raising awareness, not implementing policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5589 prohibits individuals under age 16 from using rideshare services (like Uber or Lyft) alone. The bill requires law enforcement to remove underage riders from vehicles and hold them until a parent or guardian can take custody, with no fines or records kept for violations. It applies to all online ride-hailing platforms and takes effect upon passage. This policy directly affects minors under 16 traveling without an adult in rideshare vehicles.

Criminalizes the knowing and intentional failure of a physician, nurse, or other licensed medical person to provide reasonable medical care and treatment to an infant born alive as a felony.

Provides duties/obligations of medical personnel to born-alive infants resulting from an abortion punishable as a felony along with a civil action for compensatory/punitive damages/automatic one year license suspension.

Maddy summaryHB 5347 amends Rhode Island law to extend all extended benefits provided by the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to children placed in guardianship, aligning them with the benefits already available to foster children. This change ensures children under legal guardianship receive the same post-care support services as those in foster care. The bill directly affects children in guardianship arrangements and their guardians across Rhode Island. It modifies Section 42-72-5 of the General Laws to include guardianship under DCYF's benefit provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5934 would allow any person aged 18 or older who holds a valid license or permit to carry a stun gun. The bill amends licensing requirements in the weapons chapter to explicitly include stun guns under the same provisions as other weapons. This change directly affects licensed individuals aged 18 and older who wish to carry stun guns in vehicles or on their person, removing prior restrictions. The bill does not alter age limits for other weapons or change general stun gun regulations. The measure is currently pending in committee review.

Repeals authorizing Rhode Island to join an interstate compact, which would allow Presidents and Vice Presidents to be elected by a national popular vote rather than the electoral college.

Provides that enhanced penalties for possession of fentanyl shall only be applicable if the substance contains \ at least ten percent (10%) of fentanyl or its analogs.

Redefines “farm” by reducing the amount of revenue from farm products required to be sold from ten thousand ($10,000) to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500).