Rep. Nathan Biah

Maddy summaryHB 5743 proposes several changes to teacher certification in Rhode Island. It would automatically extend existing teacher certifications, held as of July 1, 2025, for three or five years without fees. The bill also aims to boost teacher recruitment by waiving initial certification and Praxis exam fees for a three-year period. Furthermore, it would allow experienced teachers to acquire additional certifications and directs the Department of Education to create more flexible pathways for teacher and administrator certification, including recognizing non-traditional experience.

Includes licensed school psychologists under the provisions of the general laws governing the regulations of psychologists and expands the licensing of school psychologists for independent practice.

Maddy summaryHB 5836 requires every high school in Rhode Island to offer a yearlong "ethnic studies" course starting with the 2026-27 school year. This course would study American history and the experiences of racialized communities, including specific histories such as Native American, Black, Asian American, and Latin American. It would become a social studies core credit and a high school graduation requirement for students graduating in 2030 and beyond. The bill also establishes a student-led ethnic studies leadership council to oversee curriculum development and implementation.

Prohibits state or municipality from contracts to detain individuals for civil immigration violations, and if such contract exists, it must end by July 1, 2026 and prohibits using public resources to detain those individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution designating April 2025 as "Second Chance Month" in Rhode Island. It recognizes the importance of helping people with criminal records reintegrate into society, citing barriers like employment discrimination and housing restrictions. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but publicly supports efforts to provide second chances. It directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with organizations supporting formerly incarcerated individuals. This is a commemorative measure, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 4, 2025, as "Transit Equity Day" in Rhode Island to honor Rosa Parks' birthday and her historic stand for equitable public transit. It symbolically recognizes the connection between her civil rights activism and the need for accessible, sustainable transportation systems that serve all communities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with transit agencies and advocacy groups to raise public awareness - without creating new laws or funding. (Note: As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect beyond symbolic recognition.)

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.

Grants municipalities the authority to impose a parking services sales tax on parking lots and parking structures that charge for parking services through an ordinance.

Extends the forbearance of utility terminations for customers with serious illness certifications and would amend various provisions related to the termination of utility services for persons who are disabled, seriously ill, or in arrears.

Increases the minimum required awarded to minority business enterprises from 15% to 20% and of that, requires a minimum of 10% be awarded to minority owned businesses and a minimum of 10% be awarded to women owned businesses.