Rep. Rebecca Kislak

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as School Library Month in Rhode Island to highlight the importance of school librarians and their role in student success. The resolution emphasizes how librarians help students develop literacy, critical thinking, and digital citizenship skills while providing access to diverse resources. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to the School Librarians of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Library Association to encourage public recognition of these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that honors Leanne Barrett for her twenty-one years of work advancing early childhood policies in Rhode Island. It recognizes her specific contributions to programs like prekindergarten education, child care assistance, and infant mental health initiatives. The resolution formally congratulates her on her new role as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Association for Infant Mental Health and directs the Secretary of State to send her a certified copy of the document.

Strengthens enforcement of the state's pharmacy audit law by clarifying and tightening audit procedures to ensure pharmacy audits are conducted fairly and transparently.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a $25 million bond referendum to the Rhode Island voters for approval at the November 2026 election to fund a statewide bicycle infrastructure network. If approved, the state would issue bonds to finance planning, design, and construction of priority projects outlined in the Rhode Island Statewide Bicycle Mobility Plan. The funding would support building safe, connected bicycle facilities across the state to improve transportation options, reduce emissions, and promote public health. The bill requires voter approval before any bonds can be issued, ensuring public consent for the capital investment.

Sets the allocation to RIPTA at the greater of $0.1175 per gallon or 29.375% of total proceeds, with $0.005 per gallon derived from the $0.01 per gallon environmental protection fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare entities and health plans to process provider credentialing applications within 30 calendar days for new applications and 10 business days for providers already credentialed with Medicare. It also mandates that minor demographic updates, such as address changes, be completed within 5 business days. The bill includes provisions for automated status updates every 15 days, written explanations for denials, and retroactive reimbursement if payers miss deadlines. Additionally, it establishes a conditional approval process for resident graduates and requires the health insurance commissioner to enforce timelines through quarterly reporting.

Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.

Maddy summaryHB 7823 proposes a universal healthcare system called "RICare" that would guarantee all Rhode Island residents access to primary and preventive care through a single public insurance program, replacing the current multi-payer system. The bill creates a unified payment system to consolidate administrative costs, establishes a RICare board and fund for oversight, and requires state agencies to coordinate implementation, including workforce planning for transitions. It directly affects every state resident by ensuring comprehensive coverage regardless of income or pre-existing conditions, while focusing on reducing costs through streamlined administration rather than employer-sponsored insurance.

Authorizes pharmacists to order, perform and interpret CLIA-waived tests authorized by statewide protocol and prescribe medications, and permits coverage by all health insurance carriers.

Provides that a defendant's third and subsequent violation of domestic violence offenses, including both prior felony and misdemeanor convictions, would be punishable as a felony.