Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Family Caregivers Support Act of 2013, aims to protect employees who care for family members from discrimination in the workplace. It makes it illegal for employers to refuse to hire someone, fire them, or penalize them in any way because of their caregiving duties. The law also requires employers to consider requests for flexible schedules or remote work to handle medical appointments and therapy, unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense for the business. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees have some flexibility if they can prove that meeting these requests would be too burdensome. If a caregiver believes their rights were violated, the Human Rights Commission is authorized to investigate and order remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, and compensation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 7751 requires litigation financing agreements (where third parties advance money to litigants in exchange for repayment from case proceeds) to comply with the state’s interest rate limits. It directly affects individuals and businesses using these agreements to fund legal cases, as all repayment terms - regardless of contract wording like "investment" or "use fees" - are treated as interest under usury laws. The bill makes it illegal for lenders to charge rates exceeding state limits, even if repayment depends on case outcomes. This ensures such agreements cannot bypass standard loan regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that honors the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England for their work in empowering girls through leadership and service. It recognizes the organization's efforts, including transforming Camp Rocky Farm into a maritime facility and supporting STEM and environmental programs for thousands of youth in Rhode Island. The resolution formally expresses gratitude to the group and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the organization's CEO.
Creates multiple chapters to provide and establish a comprehensive program for extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, and for recycling of beverage containers.
Maddy summaryHB 7910 creates a program requiring companies that produce packaging and paper products (like food containers, boxes, and paper goods) to manage their recycling. It directly affects manufacturers and brands by shifting the financial and operational responsibility for recycling these materials from taxpayers and local governments to the producers themselves. Key provisions mandate that producers fund, organize, and oversee the recycling system for their packaging and paper waste, rather than relying on public recycling programs. This policy change aims to increase recycling rates and reduce landfill waste by making producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products.
Establishes sales and use tax exemptions for commercial forest product operations and creates a new motor vehicle registration for "forestry vehicles".
Expands foster care academic youth reports to include information regarding 504 eligibility, graduation progress and surrogate parents. The act would require implementation of additional strategies to improve performance and additional progress reports.
Limits retired, part-time or adjunct instructors, hired by any state college, university, or state school, to teaching no more than two classes per semester.
Prohibits the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally congratulates the Wheeler School team and their coach, Dayna Cueva Alegria, for winning first place at the 2026 Rhode Island Academic Decathlon. The resolution recognizes the team's success in a ten-subject competition covering areas like science, math, and literature, as well as individual achievements at the national finals. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the coach as an official acknowledgment of their accomplishment.