Rep. Justine Caldwell

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to allocate $500,000 in state funding for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to Day One, Rhode Island's Sexual Assault Coalition and Rape Crisis Center. The funds are intended to support the organization's services for survivors of sexual assault, which include treatment, education, and advocacy for individuals of all ages. The legislation authorizes the state controller to release these funds from the treasury upon receipt of proper documentation. This measure directly affects Day One by providing financial resources to maintain its operations and continue its work in addressing sexual violence within the state.

Adds to those persons exempt from payment of parking fees at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state those individuals determined by the executive office of HHS, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 7120 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax law to allow residents to deduct interest payments on outstanding student loans from their federal adjusted gross income. This change directly affects individuals who pay interest on student loans and file state tax returns, potentially lowering their taxable income. The bill modifies the state tax code by adding specific provisions to the section governing resident individual income calculations. It is currently under review by the House Finance Committee and has not yet been enacted.

Includes the offense of second-degree sexual assault among the offenses to which there shall be no statute of limitations and provides for a ten (10) year statute of limitations for third-degree sexual assault.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how appeals are handled in small claims and consumer cases by requiring both plaintiffs and defendants to sign a written waiver of their right to appeal before filing their initial claim or counterclaim. It adjusts the specific fees associated with filing these claims and pursuing appeals, directing a portion of the initial payment toward a dedicated fund for small claims mediation services. Additionally, the legislation establishes a rule where a consumer defendant who fails to respond to a lawsuit will lose the ability to appeal the resulting judgment or request a new trial in a higher court. These changes aim to streamline the legal process for minor disputes while creating a specific financial mechanism to support mediation efforts.

Gives statewide juvenile hearing boards the authority to refer a juvenile offender to a rehabilitative driving course, as part of a disposition of an offense before the board. The order may be enforced by the traffic tribunal.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public official" in Rhode Island to explicitly include election officials and poll workers. By adding these individuals to the existing list, the legislation ensures that anyone who knowingly makes threats against them or their immediate families is charged with a felony. The penalty for such threats remains a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. This change directly affects the legal protections available to those administering elections and aims to cover threats motivated by hostility toward their public duties.

Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for childcare assistance.

Creates the Rhode Island Child Care Assistance Program that governs both family eligibility for the state's child care subsidy program and the rates paid to child care providers serving families receiving a subsidy.