Requires renovation projects of pre-1978 buildings to comply with provisions of chapter 24.6 of title 23 and chapter 21 of title 28, and requires presence of lead inspector and supervisor and requires lead training. DLT ensures compliance.
Maddy summaryHB 7581 creates new state funding streams for specific education needs in Rhode Island school districts. It provides direct funding for special education costs exceeding 4x the core foundation amount, career and technical education program setup/maintenance, voluntary pre-K access, and transportation costs for students in regional districts or out-of-district non-public schools. The bill also establishes stabilization funds for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center schools, and offers regional school districts a two-year bonus (2% then 1% of state aid) for regionalization. School districts seeking reimbursement must share costs if total requests exceed available funds, with the Department of Education prorating allocations annually. This bill primarily affects public school districts, special education programs, and regional education entities across Rhode Island.
Specifies that pre-k programs for three (3) – and four (4) – year olds be added to programs to increase access to voluntary, free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.
Provides that a portion of state income taxes from employees working at not-for-profit healthcare institutions, health service institutions, and educational institutions be allocated to the city of Providence.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally designates April as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month in Rhode Island. It encourages educators to include lessons on past and current genocides in their classrooms to promote understanding and prevent future atrocities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to the Commissioner of Education and the state's Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission.
Restore the rights of school administrators and staff members, who have retired to exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment and work up to one hundred eighty (180) days during a school year.
Allows teachers, state and municipal employees to retire when they have at least twenty-eight (28) years of active service and their retirement age, when combined with the number of their years of service reaches, the number eighty-five (85).
Redefines dyslexia to mean a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that involve accuracy, speed, or both and vary depending on the orthography.
Permits all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the same legal effect as in-person appearances.
Maddy summaryHB 7506 exempts sales tax on batteries that store solar power for on-site use (behind-the-meter systems) when connected to solar photovoltaic installations. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners purchasing such battery systems for solar energy storage. The bill amends the state's sales tax code to add this exemption under existing tax categories, removing the sales tax burden specifically for these renewable energy storage components. It does not change tax rates for other items or create new requirements.
