Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.
Rep. Megan Cotter
Sponsored bills
Raises the age of eligibility for mobile response and stabilization services from eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) and establishes a minimum rate for commercial health insurance reimbursement for such services.
Directs the department of elementary and secondary education to provide a two-year pilot program that coordinates a national cultural exchange program for students of this state.
Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to study how wake boats - specialized vessels creating large waves - impact the state's freshwater lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. It specifically requests DEM to analyze environmental effects (like sediment disturbance and algae blooms), shoreline erosion, public safety risks, and invasive species transport, while reviewing regulations from other states. If the study finds significant harm, DEM would then develop regulations to limit wake boat operations, such as setting minimum lake sizes, depth requirements, or shoreline setbacks. The resolution directly affects Rhode Island's 237+ freshwater bodies (covering 18,845 acres), which are vulnerable due to their small size and ecological sensitivity.
Creates a 13-member joint commission to study Rhode Island’s method of funding charter schools, and would report back to the Governor and the General Assembly by April 1, 2027, and would expire on July 1, 2027.
Provides that the prescription label for medication abortion prescription drugs may include the name of the dispensing healthcare practice instead of the name of the dispenser.
Maddy summaryHB 7417 requires every public school in Rhode Island (including charter and vocational schools) to have a dedicated library space and a certified school librarian. It mandates specific library resources like book collections, technology, and daily student access, with staffing requirements phased in: full-time librarians for schools of 250+ students immediately, high schools by 2026-27, and all K-12 schools by 2030-31. The bill directs the education commissioner to enforce these standards, ensuring consistent library access and qualified staff. This legislation applies to all public schools and is pending passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates March 2026 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Rhode Island to promote public education about cancer prevention and early detection. The resolution is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology to highlight the importance of regular screenings, which can significantly improve survival rates by identifying the disease when it is most treatable. The House of Representatives passed the measure to formally recognize the month and authorize the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the sponsoring organizations.
Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes March 8, 2026, as International Women's Day within the State of Rhode Island. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Governor for formal acknowledgment. The measure commemorates the historical significance of the day, which honors women's rights and gender equality through a global observance established by the United Nations.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 2026 as Women's History Month in the State of Rhode Island to honor the contributions of women throughout history. The resolution recognizes women's roles in social movements, the economy, and public service while acknowledging their historical underrepresentation in American history. It authorizes the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the U.S. President, the Rhode Island Governor, and the state's congressional delegation. This is a commemorative measure that does not create new laws or change existing policies.