Maddy summaryHB 5557 updates Rhode Island's licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. It establishes biennial license renewals (every two years), requires maintaining a clinical certificate, and creates clear pathways for speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) to qualify with specific education and training. The bill directly affects licensed professionals and SLPAs by defining their scope of practice - such as assisting under supervision with screenings and therapy - while requiring documented training and supervision for SLPAs. Key changes include standardized renewal fees, inactive status options for non-practitioners, and detailed SLPA certification requirements like 18 graduate credit hours and 100 supervised clinical hours.
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Authorizes a pharmacy technician or pharmacy intern to perform technology-assisted dispensing process validation for medications prepared for distribution by another pharmacy technician or intern within an institutional pharmacy.
Maddy summaryHB 6173 establishes the Rhode Island Anti-Bid-Rigging Act to prohibit coordinated schemes that manipulate competitive bidding for government contracts. The law defines "bid rigging" as activities like price fixing, identical bids, or rotating bids among contractors or officials, making it a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison and fines up to $1 million or three times the contract value. It directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and government officials involved in public procurement, prohibiting them from conspiring to influence bids or improperly sharing sensitive bid information. Violators face debarment from state contracts for up to five years, with government entities required to maintain exclusion lists. The law applies to all state and local government procurement processes under Titles 37 and 45.
Increases the imprisonment penalty for animal fighting from 2 to 5 yrs for a subsequent conviction under § 4-1-9 and would also require mandatory community service
Maddy summaryHB 5633 allows pharmacists to dispense a one-time refill of certain medications for up to 100 days to help patients continue essential therapy when a doctor isn't immediately available or the patient lacks a current prescriber. It applies only to non-controlled medications critical for chronic conditions (like diabetes or heart disease), where stopping treatment could cause serious health issues, and requires pharmacists to notify the prescriber within seven business days. The bill specifically excludes controlled substances (Schedules II-V) and mandates that pharmacists use professional judgment to assess health risks. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and directly affects patients with ongoing medical needs and pharmacists managing prescription access.
Maddy summaryHB 6118 requires most health insurance plans in the state to cover mobile response and stabilization services for children and youth under 18 experiencing acute mental health crises, such as aggression, self-injury, or suicidal thoughts. The bill mandates coverage for certified providers delivering immediate crisis intervention, assessment, and follow-up care, effective for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. It excludes certain policies like accident-only, Medicare supplements, and limited-benefit plans. This policy change directly affects insurers, certified behavioral health providers, and young people enrolled in covered health plans.
Adds "providing for residential development in all or some of the areas encompassing commercial districts" as a purpose a zoning ordinance must address.
Maddy summaryThis bill makes technical updates to how Rhode Island towns and cities manage local planning boards and commissions. It requires board members to complete floodplain and sea-level rise training every two years, limits annual amendments to comprehensive plans to four, and clarifies procedures for reviewing land development projects and filing public access requests. These changes directly affect municipal planning boards across the state by defining their duties for preparing community plans, handling zoning matters, and coordinating with other agencies. The bill streamlines processes for plan adoption, public input, and board operations without altering land use regulations or development standards.
Establishes concurrent jurisdiction between the Rhode Island Family Court and the Federal Government for the purposes of adjudicating minors who have allegedly committed a crime while residing on a military installation located in Rhode Island.
Maddy summaryHB 5235 caps interest rates on medical debt owed to healthcare providers. It limits interest to the weekly average one-year Treasury yield (with a minimum of 1.5% and maximum of 4% annually), as reported by the Federal Reserve. This applies only to new medical debt incurred after the bill takes effect, directly affecting consumers with unpaid medical bills. The law aims to prevent excessive interest charges on healthcare costs without altering existing debt.