Rep. Julie Casimiro

Maddy summaryHB 7418 would establish medical and dental schools at the University of Rhode Island, authorizing the conferral of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degrees. The bill requires the schools to seek accreditation from medical (LCME) and dental (CODA) bodies and mandates clinical training partnerships with hospitals and health centers. It also allows the university to retain revenue from faculty practice plans to support educational, clinical, and research activities. The legislation directly affects Rhode Island residents by aiming to expand healthcare workforce capacity and improve access to care, particularly for underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHB 7426 allows nurse anesthetists with two or more years of supervised experience to practice independently without physician oversight for anesthesia care. It defines "non-supervised CRNAs" and grants them authority to administer anesthesia, manage patient care, and issue medication orders (with written guidelines for certain actions), while requiring hospitals to permit this independent practice. The bill also mandates the state health department to seek a Medicaid waiver by September 2026 to update reimbursement policies for CRNAs under Medicaid. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Extends time for a party to apply for stay of arbitration to180 days; invalidates any provision that penalizes a party for seeking legal representation; requires arbitrator to provide notice of default to a party for failure to pay fees.

Maddy summaryHB 7422, the Rhode Island Clean Air Preservation Act, bans specific atmospheric experiments including solar radiation modification (SRM), cloud seeding, and other weather engineering activities that release pollutants like PFAS ("forever chemicals"). The bill prohibits entities - such as government agencies, corporations, or research organizations - from conducting these experiments, citing risks of harmful pollutants, drought, and increased wildfire hazards. Key provisions define "atmospheric activity" broadly to cover AI-driven or machine-learning systems involved in such experiments, and list banned methods like stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening. The law directly affects any organization conducting atmospheric interventions in Rhode Island, requiring compliance with the new prohibition.

Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's medical care and treatment shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a property tax deferral program for Rhode Island senior citizens (62+), disabled residents (as determined by the Social Security Administration), and disabled veterans (as determined by the Veterans Administration). Eligible homeowners can delay paying property taxes on their primary residence (including manufactured homes) until the property is sold, transferred, or upon the death of all owners, with 6% annual interest added to the deferred amount. The program excludes properties with reverse mortgages or less than 20% equity, and the state will fund it with $2 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027. Local tax collectors must report deferral claims by January 31 each year, and deferred taxes become a lien on the property.

Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 2.89% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system.

Bans the sale of parrots at pet stores from a breeder or broker. The pet store may sell parrots obtained from animal care facilities or animal rescue organizations. The sale also prohibits at any outdoor markets or retail parking lots.

Maddy summaryHB 7498 allows driver education schools in Rhode Island to offer required driver training courses either in-person or through instructor-led virtual classes for a two-year period (October 2026 to October 2028). This applies specifically to applicants under 18 seeking their first driver's license, as they must complete the course before receiving a permit or license. The bill maintains existing course requirements, including 33 instructional hours covering Rhode Island traffic laws, alcohol/drug effects, and graduated licensing rules, but permits virtual delivery during the trial period. It also mandates the state education board to compare virtual and in-person course outcomes and report findings by December 2028.

Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2027.