Provides that the trapping and subsequent release of any unowned feral or free roaming cat for the purpose of spaying or neutering of the cat would not be considered abandonment.
Maddy summaryHB 5494 adds consumer protections to Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies in the state. It prohibits policies from duplicating Medicare benefits and bans exclusions for preexisting conditions after six months of coverage, defining preexisting conditions as those requiring medical advice within six months before coverage begins. The bill guarantees issue rights for applicants under 65 with disabilities or end-stage renal disease (without medical underwriting) and requires annual guaranteed issue for all Medicare Part A/B enrollees during a one-month enrollment period. The commissioner must establish regulations for policy standards, premium rates, and loss ratios to align with federal requirements.
Requires the school board or committees of cities and towns to establish a safety and behavioral health committee and also lays out the representation requirements committee responsibilities to ensure a stable learning environment for all students.
Maddy summaryHB 6069 requires the New Shoreham water district to limit water service exclusively to residents within its officially designated service areas, rather than providing service across the entire municipality. The bill amends water management law to explicitly state that the district's board of water commissioners may restrict supply to these defined areas. This directly affects New Shoreham residents whose properties fall outside the designated service boundaries. The policy change takes effect immediately upon passage without requiring gubernatorial approval.
Maddy summaryHB 5098 creates a new vehicle registration category for "forestry vehicles" used in forest product operations. It requires these vehicles (like logging trucks or equipment used for harvesting, processing, or delivering wood products on public roads) to get special farm plates marked with a forestry symbol, instead of standard registration. The bill applies only to forestry businesses with annual revenue under $2.5 million, excluding commercial hauling services like sand/gravel transport. This change simplifies registration for small forestry operations conducting their own forest product activities.
Maddy summaryHB 6244 prohibits licensed healthcare facilities in this state from asking patients about their immigration status or requiring proof of legal presence. This applies to all patients receiving care at hospitals, clinics, and other facilities covered under healthcare licensing laws. The bill amends existing patient rights standards to explicitly add that facilities cannot inquire about immigration status (new section 19), ensuring equal access to care regardless of immigration status. It took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures continued protection against disability discrimination in Rhode Island state programs and services that receive state funding or operate under federal programs. It requires that if federal disability protections (like Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) are repealed or invalidated, Rhode Island will maintain the same level of protection that existed before the federal change. The law applies to all state agencies, schools, and organizations receiving state financial assistance. This creates a legal safeguard to prevent gaps in disability rights during potential federal policy shifts.
Maddy summaryHB 5801 updates definitions and procedures for low- and moderate-income housing in Rhode Island municipalities. It clarifies how housing units count toward municipal requirements, specifying that federal rental assistance vouchers now count as whole units (not half-units) for compliance, and mobile homes meeting certain criteria count as half-units if monitored. The bill also refines terms like "affordable housing plan" and "consistent with local needs" to align with housing planning standards. These changes directly affect cities and towns developing housing plans and developers seeking approval for subsidized housing projects.
Adds a definition for "co-living housing" to the zoning ordinance provisions of the general laws and would include such housing as a special provision to be included in a zoning ordinance.
Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.
