Rep. Kathleen Fogarty

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits ICE employees, agents, or officials from being within 200 feet of any polling place during voting hours. It directly affects ICE personnel by restricting their presence near voting locations during elections. The key provision adds a new section to election law creating a 200-foot buffer zone around polling places to prevent potential interference. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not alter voting procedures or eligibility.

Renames the University of Rhode Island football practice field, located at 5E West Alumni Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881, to the "Mark S. Cruise '81 '84 Football Practice Field."

Exempts certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland.

Allows for a special RI license plate to raise awareness for colon cancer and would be designed by the partnership to reduce cancer in RI and honoring the late Maryellen Goodwin.

Maddy summaryHB 7371 sets a statewide maximum limit of 12 children for family child care homes, overriding local zoning rules that might allow larger groups. This bill directly affects family child care providers operating out of residential homes across the state. The key provision establishes a uniform statewide standard, ensuring all such homes comply with this size limit regardless of local regulations. The bill aims to standardize child care capacity rules to enhance safety and consistency for families. It is currently pending a committee hearing as of February 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 7416 would grant automatic admission to Rhode Island's public colleges and universities (URI, RIC, CCRI) for state residents who earned the Eagle Scout rank (Scouting America) or Gold Award (Girl Scouts of the USA), starting in Fall 2026. Applicants must meet basic application requirements but won't need to satisfy competitive academic thresholds. The law explicitly excludes specialized programs like nursing or engineering from automatic admission (requiring program-specific qualifications) and clarifies it doesn't guarantee financial aid or change residency rules.

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Maddy summaryHB 7585 expands eligibility for the state's crime victim compensation program to include hit-and-run victims who suffer serious bodily injury. The bill amends the existing law to explicitly add "failure to stop by a driver in circumstances which result in serious bodily injury or death" as a qualifying offense under the program. This change directly affects victims of hit-and-run collisions where the driver flees the scene and causes serious injury, allowing them to seek financial compensation through the current program. The policy change modifies the list of qualifying offenses without creating new funding or altering program administration.

Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. Effective 7/1/26.

Amends certain provisions relative to school waste recycling and refuse disposal and requires reports of waste audits by educational entities and reports of program participation by vendors.