Rep. Carol McEntee

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the state's minimum wage law to include workers employed in domestic service or within private homes, who were previously excluded from these protections. By amending the legal definition of "employee," the legislation ensures that individuals working in these settings are now covered by the same wage standards as other workers. Once signed into law, the change directly affects private employers and domestic workers by bringing them under the jurisdiction of existing minimum wage regulations.

Extends injured-on-duty (IOD) benefits to police officers and firefighters that suffer from diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorders, except under certain conditions.

Outlines the process for a person petitioning to change their name in the probate court in the town or city where they reside. It would also make the statute regarding name change gender neutral.

Allows manufacturer-wineries to sell up to three (3) drinks of wine for on-site consumption or three (3) bottles of wine for off-site consumption or three (3) bottles of wine for off-site consumption.

Requires written acknowledgment from any buyer of oceanfront or shoreline property that they have been informed of the public's rights and privileges of the shore.

Updates the existing Toxic Packaging Act by delaying the ban on PFAS in food packaging until January 1, 2025, and in processing agents until July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis law allows residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to install electronic monitoring devices, such as cameras or audio recorders, in their private rooms or living units. To use these devices, a resident must provide written consent, or their legal representative can do so on their behalf if the resident lacks decision-making capacity, though the representative must first ask the resident for permission. The bill requires facilities to respect the privacy of all roommates by ensuring they also sign a consent form before monitoring begins, and it mandates that anyone monitoring must remove the device immediately if a new roommate moves in without consent. If a resident wants to monitor their space but a roommate refuses to agree, the facility must try to move the resident to a private room, though they are not required to provide one if the resident cannot pay the extra cost.

Authorizes the town of Narragansett to issue not more than $3,000,000 general obligation bonds and notes to finance affordable housing in the Town of Narragansett, including but not limited for appropriations to the town’s affordable housing trust.

Extends the current provisions relative to certain rights of innkeepers and eliminates the sunsetting of such sections thereby preserving the law as it currently exists.

Amends charter of the Union Fire District of South Kingstown by renaming "Reserve Capital Expenditures" to "Capital Projects Fund" and allows the board of wardens to grant tax exemptions to current and retired volunteer firefighters and their spouses.