Prohibits any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or criminal behavior, unless the parent of guardian of the juvenile is present, or unless an attorney is present or the juvenile and their parents have waived their presence.
Maddy summaryHB 5436, the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025, prohibits the manufacture, sale, possession, or transfer of specific semi-automatic firearms after July 1, 2026. It bans weapons defined as "assault weapons" based on features like detachable magazines, folding stocks, pistol grips, or threaded barrels (e.g., rifles with >10-round fixed magazines or shotguns with detachable magazines and certain features). Current owners of qualifying firearms legally possessed before July 1, 2026, may keep them under a grandfather clause, but new ownership or transfers after that date are prohibited. Exceptions include .22 caliber rimfire rifles with tubular magazines and Olympic target pistols. Violations carry fines up to $10,000 or up to 10 years in prison.
Provides that a communication between an attorney and client acting as a trustee or other fiduciary, is privileged and protected from disclosure to the same extent as if the client was acting in his, her, or its individual capacity.
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6372 is a formal request from the Rhode Island House of Representatives to the U.S. Coast Guard. It urges the Coast Guard to retain and maintain 38 buoys currently considered for removal from Rhode Island waters. The resolution aims to ensure the safety of recreational boaters and commercial traffic, emphasizing the importance of physical aids to navigation alongside modern electronic systems.
Maddy summaryHB 5537 extends legal immunity protections currently available to physicians and surgeons in mental health proceedings to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) licensed in the state. The bill amends the Mental Health Law to explicitly include APRNs who meet licensing requirements, ensuring they cannot be sued for actions taken during mental health care under this law - except in cases of actual fraud or gross negligence. This change directly affects APRNs working in behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities, and hospital mental health settings by aligning their liability protections with those of physicians. The policy change clarifies that APRNs cannot be held liable for patient rights issues (like discharge) unless the care involved serious misconduct or violated written medical orders.
Requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.
Maddy summaryHB 5263 requires firearm owners to store guns securely in locked containers or with safety devices to prevent unauthorized access, primarily affecting individuals storing firearms on their premises. It imposes tiered penalties: civil fines up to $250 for first offenses, increasing to potential jail time for repeat violations, with stricter criminal charges if a child or prohibited person accesses the firearm and causes harm. The bill explicitly states it does not reduce gun rights or infringe on privacy without a warrant. The legislation amends the bill's title to reference "Dillon's Law" (a term related to municipal authority), but does not alter the underlying storage requirements. It applies to all firearm owners in the jurisdiction, with specific provisions for cases involving children or prohibited persons.
Maddy summaryHB 5731 allows Rhode Island driver education schools to offer required driver training courses both in-person and through instructor-led virtual formats for a two-year trial period (October 2025-October 2027). This applies to applicants under 18 seeking their first license, while maintaining existing curriculum standards (including 33 hours of instruction covering Rhode Island traffic laws and alcohol/drug education). The state board of education must analyze virtual vs. in-person training effectiveness and report findings to lawmakers by December 2027. Exemptions apply to applicants over 18 or those with a valid out-of-state license held for at least one year.
Creates the healthcare worker platform act that requires platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the Rhode Island department of health by June 1, 2026, while exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies.
Maddy summaryHB 5083, the "David Casey Act," requires all public and private golf courses to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site. This law directly affects golf course operators, mandating they maintain an AED for emergency cardiac care. The key provision specifies that AEDs must be readily accessible at every golf course facility, aligning with broader requirements for "public places" defined in state law. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, without additional implementation timelines.
