Rep. Justine Caldwell

Maddy summaryHR 7263 is a symbolic resolution designating January 23, 2026, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws, funding, or programs but serves to publicly highlight maternal health issues, including preventable deaths and racial disparities in care. The resolution references state efforts like the Pregnancy & Post-Partum Death Review Committee and ongoing collaborations to address maternal health challenges. It was passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives on January 22, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "Main Street Rhode Island," a program managed by the nonprofit Grow Smart RI for three years to coordinate revitalization efforts in the state's commercial districts (downtowns, village squares, and retail corridors). It authorizes $500,000 in funding to implement a proven national strategy, including training for local communities, monthly educational sessions, and a centralized resource hub. The program aims to boost economic activity, job creation, and neighborhood development by connecting existing local efforts through standardized best practices. It formalizes a partnership between Grow Smart RI and Main Street America, with the Commerce Corporation handling fund disbursement.

Maddy summaryHB 5120, the "Rhode Island Prior Authorization Reform Act of 2025," prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for services ordered by in-network primary care providers. This directly affects patients receiving care from in-network primary care physicians and the providers themselves, as insurers can no longer block these services through extra approval steps. The key provision mandates that insurers must approve such services without imposing prior authorization requirements, streamlining access to care. The bill aims to reduce administrative delays for routine treatments recommended by primary care providers within an insurer's network.

Maddy summaryHB 5130 requires law enforcement agencies to submit crime guns (firearms used in or suspected of being used in a crime) and test-fired cartridge cases to the state crime laboratory or a certified agency for entry into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). This policy change directly affects police departments and crime labs by mandating a standardized procedure for processing ballistic evidence from gun crimes. The bill defines key terms like "crime gun" and "ghost gun" but focuses the new requirement on evidence submission to NIBIN, a database that helps solve gun violence by matching firearm evidence across jurisdictions. This is a procedural change for law enforcement, not a new restriction on firearm ownership or use.

Criminalizes the unauthorized dissemination of sexually explicit images of another person that are created by digital devices or created without the consent of the person depicted.

Provides that charitable organizations with a gross income of one million dollars ($1,000,000) or less can meet the required reporting and records requirements by providing either an IRS Form 900 or other approved financial statements.

Adds a definition for "co-living housing" to the zoning ordinance provisions of the general laws and would include such housing as a special provision to be included in a zoning ordinance.

Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.

Protects the personal information of judicial officers and their immediate family members who serve or have served the RI unified judicial system, as well as judicial officers who reside in RI and who serve or have served in the federal courts.

Amends the administration requirements a zoning ordinance must provide and/or designate and would require that zoning certificates be issued within 20 days of the written request.