Rep. Robert Craven

Maddy summaryHB 5357 repeals a provision that required women in the community corrections program for women offenders to pay additional fees for prostitution-related offenses. Specifically, it removes mandatory assessments of $500 for felony convictions or $350 for misdemeanor convictions, which were previously added to court fines. This change directly affects women sentenced to community correctional programs under the program’s eligibility criteria (those sentenced to two years or less or awaiting trial in women’s correctional facilities). The bill eliminates these financial penalties, ensuring women in the program are no longer subject to these extra costs. The bill became law after being signed by the governor on June 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5370 provides property tax exemptions or credits for veterans, gold star parents (families of fallen service members), visually impaired individuals, and elderly residents in Rhode Island. The bill amends property tax laws to allow local towns and cities to set specific exemption amounts (ranging from $1,000 to $40,500) based on their ordinances, with some municipalities like North Kingstown offering $10,000 exemptions or $200 tax credits. These benefits apply to the property owner's primary residence or qualifying real property within their municipality, subject to residency requirements and local council approval. The law directly affects eligible residents who meet service or disability criteria, reducing their annual property tax burden.

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.

Gives authority to the department of labor and training to enforce violations of the laws relating to corrosion prevention and mitigation work requirements. It also adds civil monetary penalties for violations of those laws.

Allows food service businesses to provide temporary outdoor dining whenever building/other structure used for food service rendered uninhabitable by casualty fire/flood for 18 months or the building fit for occupancy sunsetting on 6/30/27.

Prohibits any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or criminal behavior, unless the parent of guardian of the juvenile is present, or unless an attorney is present or the juvenile and their parents have waived their presence.

Maddy summaryHB 5436, the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025, prohibits the manufacture, sale, possession, or transfer of specific semi-automatic firearms after July 1, 2026. It bans weapons defined as "assault weapons" based on features like detachable magazines, folding stocks, pistol grips, or threaded barrels (e.g., rifles with >10-round fixed magazines or shotguns with detachable magazines and certain features). Current owners of qualifying firearms legally possessed before July 1, 2026, may keep them under a grandfather clause, but new ownership or transfers after that date are prohibited. Exceptions include .22 caliber rimfire rifles with tubular magazines and Olympic target pistols. Violations carry fines up to $10,000 or up to 10 years in prison.

Details each of those limited emergency circumstances where a registered nurse and advanced practice registered nurses, may safely administer sedation, such as critical life-saving or emergency situations where there is an imminent threat to life or limb.

Creates the PURPLE alert state system to aid in the search for a missing adult with a serious physical, behavioral health, neurological disabilities or medical condition.

Reduces the number of times the director of the lottery has to confer with the permanent joint committee on state lottery from nine (9) times per year to four (4) times per year or at the call of the chair and vice chair of the committee.