Rep. Julie Casimiro

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-day sales tax holiday on August 10 and 11, 2024, allowing consumers to purchase certain items without paying sales tax. The tax break applies only to nonbusiness retail sales of tangible personal property, excluding specific goods like tobacco, fuel, electricity, vehicles, meals, and any single item priced over $2,500. While vendors do not need to collect sales tax on these qualifying purchases during the holiday, they must still file regular tax returns and report the sales. The bill also requires the state revenue director to report the amount of tax revenue forgone and file a detailed report with the legislature by the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates May 2024 as "Rhode Island Pharmacy Advocacy Month" within the state. It aims to recognize the contributions of over 6,000 licensed pharmacy professionals and highlight their role in improving patient care and public health. The resolution encourages citizens, healthcare workers, and organizations to participate in events that promote the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association and the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws regarding sales and use taxes by adding a new exemption for scalp hair prostheses and wigs required due to medical hair loss. The legislation also updates definitions for bundled transactions, clarifying how to calculate tax when multiple items are sold together for a single price, and provides specific rules for determining when taxable items in a bundle are too small to require separate tax calculation. Additionally, the bill refines categories for clothing, computers, and related items to ensure consistent application of tax rules across different types of products. These changes directly affect retailers and consumers by altering how certain items are taxed and how bundled sales are processed.

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 summaryHB 7435 creates a new legal framework to regulate pet insurance policies sold to residents of the state. The bill requires insurers to clearly define key terms like preexisting conditions and chronic illnesses within their policies and make these definitions easily accessible online. It mandates that companies disclose specific details about coverage limits, exclusions, and how premiums or benefits might change based on a pet's history or age. Additionally, the law grants consumers a fifteen-day "free look" period to review and return a policy for a full refund if they are not satisfied, provided no claims have been filed. This legislation applies to any pet insurance offered or delivered in the state, superseding general insurance laws with these specific consumer protections.

Provides for remote participation in open public meetings of the long-term care coordinating council and would provide that a quorum of the council consists of 12 members.

Provides $4 million to support after school and school vacation, summer learning workforce development programs for K-12 students with annual reports on status and programs.

Relocates certain provisions of the general laws relating to child care assistance from the Rhode Island Works Program to the chapter on child care state subsidies.

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.