Rep. Carol McEntee

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution celebrating "URI Day" at the Rhode Island State House on April 1, 2025. It formally recognizes the University of Rhode Island (URI) for its role as a research university and economic contributor, highlighting its educational programs and partnerships. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to URI's president but does not create new laws, funding, or obligations. It affects URI by publicly honoring its contributions, with no direct impact on state residents or policy.

Mandates that the clerk of the district court, upon request of the defendant, automatically seal individual counts of criminal complaints upon dismissal pursuant to rule 48(a) of the rules of criminal procedure for district court.

Prohibits the courts from setting cash or surety bail on any misdemeanor offense but permits the court to set reasonable non-monetary conditions of bail to assure the defendant's presence in court as required and to protect the community.

Maddy summaryHB 5072 allows individuals with 2-5 misdemeanor convictions (but no felony convictions) to have those offenses expunged from their criminal records after completing their sentences for 10 years. The bill modifies existing expungement rules to create a new pathway specifically for people with multiple misdemeanors who lack felony convictions, requiring payment of all court fees and fines before eligibility. It does not apply to offenses under specific sections of the law or to individuals convicted of violent crimes. This change directly affects people with non-violent misdemeanor histories seeking to clear their records for employment or housing opportunities. The bill takes effect upon passage and is currently under review by the House Judiciary Committee.

Prohibits individuals from conveying items to or from the training school for youth without prior consent by the executive director of the division of youth development at the department of children, youth and families.

Maddy summaryHB 5502 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offense categories in the state's laws. It specifies that a felony involves imprisonment over one year or a fine over $1,000, a misdemeanor involves 6 months to 1 year imprisonment or a fine up to $1,000, a petty misdemeanor involves up to 6 months imprisonment or a fine up to $500, and a violation is punishable only by a fine under $500. The bill also explicitly states that any reference to "one year" in sentencing laws means 364 days, not 365. This definition change directly affects courts, prosecutors, and defendants when classifying criminal charges and determining penalties. The bill is currently pending further study after a committee hearing.

Adds to the powers and duties of the OHIC the undertaking of analyses, reports, studies, and recommendations with respect to reimbursement and financing for the provision of primary care services to Rhode Islanders.

Extends the voluntary extension of care (VEC) program pursuant to § 14-1-6 to children in the juvenile justice system and children who attain reunification prior to their eighteenth (18th) birthday, however, the reunification is not successful.

Amends powers/duties of the office of the health insurance commissioner to increase total cost of care for services reimbursed under contracts after risk adjustment that exceeds the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers percentage increase.

Maddy summaryHB 5256 requires health insurance policies to pay nurse practitioners and physician assistants the same amount as physicians for covered primary care and mental health services they provide within their licensed scope. This applies when these providers work independently (billing directly as their own practice) rather than in certain group practices like federally qualified HMOs. Insurers cannot reduce payments to physicians to comply with this requirement. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.