Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.
Supports the role of independent family council and makes the waiting list transparent by requiring nursing facilities with more than thirty percent (30%) self-pay residents to admit applicants on a first-come-first-served basis for non-private rooms.
Maddy summaryHB 5651 allows state agencies to access juvenile criminal records for firearm background checks until the individual turns 21. This affects people who were juveniles (under 18) at the time of an offense and are now under 21 when seeking to purchase a firearm. The bill amends existing law to create a specific exception to the usual sealing of juvenile records, permitting their use in National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks for firearms. It maintains standard confidentiality protections for juvenile records in all other contexts, including public access and other legal proceedings.
Prohibits local licensing authorities from issuing a concealed carry permit to out of state residents based on permits issued by authorities from other states or subdivisions.
Establishes the Ranked Choice Voting for Rhode Island Presidential Primaries and provides for new sections on ranked choice voting tabulation and results reporting.
Extends the time for which a student may enroll in the community college of Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program to one year after the student's high school graduation.
Requires the state building commissioner to implement electronic permitting for any category of state or local permit authorized under state law to significantly impact the expediency of construction and development.
Maddy summaryHB 5577, the "2025 Utility Company Billing Transparency Act," requires large electric and gas distribution companies (with over 100,000 customers) to provide clear explanations of charges on consumer bills, addressing confusion about costs like fees and taxes. It mandates that these companies file proposals with the Public Utilities Commission detailing how they will implement revenue decoupling - ensuring they aren’t incentivized to increase sales to boost profits - and includes annual reconciliation for revenue over- or under-recovery. The bill also requires companies to submit annual infrastructure and safety spending plans for commission review, aiming to align costs with service reliability. These changes directly affect major utility providers like Rhode Island Energy and aim to help residential customers better understand and manage their energy costs.
Maddy summaryHB 5492, the Microplastics Reduction Act, prohibits manufacturers from selling or distributing products containing intentionally added synthetic microplastics (like those in some cosmetics, cleaning supplies, or personal care items) starting January 1, 2029. It requires the Department of Environmental Management to develop a public testing plan for microplastics in water and soil by July 2028, and a statewide strategy plan by January 2029 to address microplastic sources and impacts. The law directly affects product manufacturers and importers, excluding items preempted by federal law. It focuses on reducing microplastics intentionally added to consumer products, not all plastic pollution, and mandates regular updates to the testing and strategy plans every 24 months.
Maddy summaryHB 5813 prevents utility companies (like electricity and gas providers) from raising transmission and distribution fees on consumer bills for two years, starting July 1, 2025. This freeze applies to all utilities with 7,500 or more accounts, requiring legislative approval for any fee increase during this period. Smaller utilities (under 7,500 accounts) are exempt from this cap. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and directly affects residential and business consumers paying utility bills.
