Establishes the Healthy Kids Act whereby restaurants would be required to offer at least two (2) healthy versions of children's meals, or twenty-five percent (25%) of the children's meals on its menu, whichever is greater.
Maddy summaryHB 5177, known as "Harter's Law," extends the civil statute of limitations for individuals who have suffered injuries resulting from first-degree child abuse. This bill changes the time limit for bringing a civil lawsuit from the standard three years to thirty-five years after the cause of action accrues. For a child, this thirty-five-year period does not begin until they turn eighteen years old. This policy directly affects survivors of first-degree child abuse by giving them significantly more time to pursue legal action for their injuries.
Makes it a misdemeanor to harass another person by following them and using an electronic device to record their movements in any public or private place.
Increases the maximum amount of the Kingston water district bonding authority from four million dollars ($4,000,000) to fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000).
Maddy summaryThis is a Rhode Island House resolution (not legislation), urging federal lawmakers to address concerns about Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. It calls for transparency measures, stricter marketing rules, and redirecting funds from MA plans to strengthen Traditional Medicare. The resolution highlights issues like higher costs for enrollees, narrower provider networks, and profit-driven practices by MA insurers, but does not create new laws. It specifically recommends actions for Congress and federal agencies, such as requiring MA plan audits and prohibiting practices that prioritize corporate profits over patient care.
Allows the applicant for a land development project to utilize the administrative subdivision process established under 45-23-37 to request approval of a proposed subdivision of an oversized lot.
Creates the home-fit dwelling units act to apply to all new construction of covered dwelling units to incorporate design features that provide safe and convenient use of to the greatest extent feasible, regardless of age or physical ability.
Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.
Imposes a non-owner occupied property tax on residential properties assessed in excess of eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) at variable rates dependent on values assessed by local tax assessors.
Maddy summaryHB 6001 redirects the distribution of hotel tax revenue in Rhode Island, shifting a larger share to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation for tourism promotion. For tax payments received after December 31, 2015, 75% of the tax generated by hotels in the statewide district (covering most of the state) must now go directly to the Commerce Corporation, up from previous allocations. The bill requires the Commerce Corporation to spend at least the full amount it receives annually on promoting Rhode Island as a tourism destination. This change primarily affects hotels statewide, altering how local tourism districts, cities, and the Commerce Corporation receive funding from hotel taxes.
