Grants an affirmative defense for certain privileged communications, including communications made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes and celebrates the 28th Annual "Women in Construction Week" in Rhode Island from March 1-7, 2026. It honors the National Association of Women in Construction Rhode Island Chapter 52 for its long-standing efforts to promote women's employment and advancement in the construction industry. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the organization and encourages state citizens to acknowledge the group's contributions to community development and skilled trades promotion.
Maddy summaryHB 8030 requires criminal background checks for anyone applying for jobs or volunteering with the South Kingstown fire department or fire district. This bill directly affects fire department applicants and volunteers in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. The key provision mandates that these checks be conducted as part of the hiring or acceptance process. The bill is currently pending a committee hearing scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 7352, the Rhode Island Civil Rights Enforcement Act, creates a legal remedy for individuals whose constitutional rights are violated by state or local government entities (including cities, counties, or state agencies). It allows residents or individuals within Rhode Island to sue the government directly for compensation when rights are deprived under color of law, without needing to first sue individual employees. Key provisions include a $500,000 cap on compensatory damages for most claims (adjustable annually for inflation), no punitive damages against the state, and the attorney general’s authority to enforce the law. The law applies immediately upon passage, with claims needing to be filed within three years of the violation.
Caps the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for a covered prescription inhaler, prescription device, or prescription equipment to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per thirty (30) day supply.
Maddy summaryHB 7607 prohibits payment networks from charging swipe fees (interchange and assessment fees) on state or local taxes and separately listed gratuities (tips) in electronic payment transactions. It requires payment networks to either deduct these amounts from swipe fee calculations at settlement or rebate merchants within 180 days if tax/tip details aren't captured at checkout. This directly affects merchants (businesses accepting card payments) and payment networks like Visa or Mastercard. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and includes penalties for violations, such as civil fines up to $1,000 per incident.
Maddy summaryHB 7934 amends pharmacy laws to require parental consent for all immunizations given by pharmacists to individuals between the ages of three and eighteen. The bill also mandates that pharmacists electronically report these vaccinations to the Department of Health within seven days and notify the patient's primary care provider within fourteen days. Additionally, pharmacists must make a good-faith effort to identify a patient's primary care provider to facilitate this notification. This legislation directly affects pharmacies, pharmacists, patients, and their parents or guardians.
Amends the current law on health insurance coverage for fertility diagnostic care, standard fertility preservation services, and fertility treatment and requires coverage for any medically necessary ovulation-enhancing drugs and medical services.
Maddy summaryHB 7514, titled the "Price Tags Act," creates new rules to prevent grocery suppliers from using unfair pricing tactics against smaller retailers in Rhode Island. It requires suppliers to offer identical pricing terms for the same grocery products (like packaged foods) to all retailers buying in similar quantities, and to share anonymized pricing data with non-dominant retailers upon request. The law specifically targets large suppliers (annual sales over $6 billion) and dominant retailers (annual sales over $18 billion across 20+ states), prohibiting them from refusing sales or offering different terms without valid justification. Covered goods exclude gasoline, prescription drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, focusing on everyday grocery items sold in stores.
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.
