Rep. Julie Casimiro

Maddy summaryHB 5029 sets the state's minimum wage at $16.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, and increases it to $17.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects all employers covered by the state's minimum wage law, including businesses with hourly workers. The legislation amends existing law to add these specific future wage rates, building on previous annual increases already in effect. It does not include additional provisions or exemptions beyond the specified hourly rates for 2026 and 2027.

Creates process for condominium associations to give notice to and obtain approval from unit mortgage holders for certain association actions by mailing a written request for approval to the unit mortgagees via regular and certified mail.

Maddy summaryHB 5460 updates legal definitions in Rhode Island's aeronautics law to include the U.S. Space Force as a military branch. It amends Section 1-4-2 of the Uniform Aeronautical Regulatory Act to add "space force" to the definition of "military aircraft" (Section 14), ensuring the term appears consistently throughout the law. The bill makes no substantive changes to aviation regulations or operations - it solely adjusts terminology to reflect the Space Force's status as a separate military service. This is a procedural update affecting how military aircraft are legally categorized in state statutes.

Requires associations to provide unit owners within thirty (30) days notice of any increase in the deductible application to the association’s policy.

Maddy summaryHB 5946 requires construction sites to keep at least one access point open during work hours, allowing workers to freely enter and exit without obstruction. It applies to all construction site owners, operators, or managers on public or private property. Violating this rule results in written warnings for first offenses, followed by $1,000 daily fines and immediate work stoppages for repeat violations. The bill prohibits locking gates, fences, or other barriers that restrict access while construction is ongoing.

Permits the division of unclaimed property within the office of the general treasurer to accept miscellaneous intangible property belonging to Rhode Island residents.

Maddy summaryHB 5108 allows foreign-trained physicians to obtain a temporary license to practice medicine in Rhode Island under specific conditions. It directly affects physicians who graduated from medical schools outside the U.S., require ECFMG certification, completed residency training abroad (accredited by ACGME-I or recognized international bodies), and have held an unrestricted license in another country for at least three years. The law requires these physicians to work under a participating healthcare facility that provides structured training and assessment to address clinical gaps, while maintaining oversight through the Board of Medical Licensure. This creates a formal pathway for qualified international physicians to contribute to Rhode Island's healthcare workforce under defined safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 5598 requires all public schools in the state to create and implement a written policy restricting student use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches) during school hours and school activities. The policy must aim to reduce distractions, support learning, and protect student privacy and safety, while explicitly allowing exceptions for students needing assistive technology under IEPs/504 plans, medical devices (e.g., glucose monitors), or language support programs. Schools must develop these policies in consultation with staff representatives, notify parents, and file them with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which will provide annual guidance. The law takes effect on August 1, 2026.

Creates a process for licensure and oversight by DBR over the practices and procedures of virtual currency kiosk operators to prevent fraud related to the use of virtual currency kiosks, by establishing daily transaction limits and the regulating of fees.

Increases the maximum fill for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances found in schedule II, so that a sixty-day (60) supply may be dispensed at any one time.