Rep. Tina Spears

Maddy summaryHB 5466 proposes to increase the monthly personal needs allowance for residents in nursing facilities who receive medical assistance. The bill would raise this allowance from seventy-five dollars ($75.00) to one hundred dollars ($100.00) per month. This change directly affects these nursing facility residents by providing them with an additional $25 each month for their personal expenses. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Increases individual, group, and Medicaid insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance and wheelchair van services to be equal to reimbursement rates provided by Medicare for the same medical services.

Maddy summaryHB 5203 directs the Department of Education and the Office of Energy Resources to develop new regulations for school buildings. These regulations will require all school buildings to meet a "zero energy capable" standard by December 31, 2037, with the regulations themselves to be adopted by June 30, 2026. The bill ensures that local education agencies have flexibility to pursue state and federal funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy systems without losing state housing aid. It also mandates guidance for school districts to build, own, and operate solar panels using federal incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 5201 amends the "Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" to ensure full state funding for certain transportation costs. Specifically, it mandates that, starting with the fiscal year 2026 budget, the state will fully fund transportation categorical funds between the state and regional school districts. This aims to provide complete state coverage for these specific transportation expenses for regional school districts. The act also outlines state funding for other categorical programs, such as excess costs for special education, career and technical education, and pre-kindergarten programs.

Increases the state’s regionalization bonus to six percent (6%) of the state’s fiscal year share of foundation education aid. This bonus would be ongoing and continuing so long as the district remains a regional school district.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6267 is a commemorative resolution celebrating the 55th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2025, in the State of Rhode Island. It encourages all Rhode Islanders to educate themselves on environmental hazards and become part of the solution.

Maddy summaryHB 5192 establishes new regulations for individuals using bicycle trails and paths in Rhode Island. The bill requires all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and other authorized vehicle users, to stay to the right side of the path. When passing, users must do so on the left when safe, and are required to use hand signals or verbal notification. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is tasked with enforcing these new rules and regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 5194 seeks to provide property tax relief to elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes. The bill increases the maximum income threshold for eligibility for property tax credits to $50,000. It also raises the maximum available tax credit to $850 for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the bill introduces annual adjustments to both the income range and the maximum credit based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).

Maddy summaryHB 5857 creates the "Reproductive Freedom and Gender-Affirming Care Health Data Privacy Act" to protect sensitive health information for Rhode Island residents. The bill specifically defines "consumer health data" to include information related to reproductive or sexual health and gender-affirming care. It requires explicit, informed consent from consumers before regulated entities or small businesses can collect, process, or transfer this protected health data. The act also clarifies what constitutes valid consent, prohibiting practices like deceptive designs or inferring consent from inaction.

Changes the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date.