Increases the membership of the state crime laboratory commission from five (5) to nine (9). The overseer and co-executive secretaries of the commission have been changed to the deans of URI's colleges of pharmacy and engineering.
Require that the classification guide to desk audit analysis and class specification development be amended so that the lack of supervision of other employees not prevent an employee from receiving a classification upgrade
Expands the obligations of employers to create, maintain and retain their employees' personnel records, it requires that records be retained for at least 3 years after employee's termination. It also increases the financial penalties for each violation.
Maddy summaryHB 7289 prohibits law enforcement from seizing property under controlled substances laws without first obtaining a criminal conviction. This directly affects property owners who might otherwise face asset forfeiture before a court finds them guilty of a crime. The bill modifies existing forfeiture procedures by requiring a criminal conviction before civil forfeiture can proceed, with limited exceptions for vehicles used by common carriers. It changes the process so that assets cannot be taken through civil means until after a criminal case concludes.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution designating February 2-6, 2026, as "National School Counseling Week" in Rhode Island. It recognizes school counselors' roles in supporting student development, career exploration, and collaboration with parents and educators. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Rhode Island School Counselor Association president, with no new policies, funding, or obligations created. It solely serves to honor the profession through symbolic recognition during the specified week.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 2026 as "American Heart Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or directly affect individuals, but encourages public awareness through activities like wearing red, sharing heart health tips on social media, and participating in fitness challenges. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Rhode Island Department of Health and the American Heart Association - Rhode Island. It serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight heart disease prevention, referencing Rhode Island's 2022 data showing 22% of deaths were heart disease-related.
Caps damages at $100,000 in tort actions against Rhode Island, cities, towns, or fire districts, except for willful misconduct or extreme recklessness. It also exempts them from § 9-21-10.
Limits the recovery for personal injuries actions against any town to $3,000 retroactive to all causes of action arising after January 1, 2026, and prohibits the use of subsequent remedial measures in roadway/highway defect cases.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 2025 as "Fragile X Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It recognizes Fragile X Syndrome as the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism, affecting over 100,000 Americans. The resolution urges Rhode Islanders to raise awareness, share information, and support research and families impacted by Fragile X Syndrome. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the National Fragile X Foundation and Little Rhody Warriors. (Note: This is a symbolic resolution, not a bill with policy changes.)
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution expressing condolences for Raymond J. Turbitt, a Rhode Island educator and community member who taught mathematics for many years and was involved in marine archaeology. It formally mourns his passing and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his wife, Judith "Sharon" Turbitt. The resolution has no policy provisions or effects on laws or regulations. It is a purely ceremonial gesture honoring Turbitt's life and contributions.
