Extends the range of a school zone for purposes of school-zone-speed-enforcement systems from one-quarter (1/4) mile to three-quarters (3/4) of a mile.
Creates rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities. That choose to participate. Reports would be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and would be submitted to the department of environmental management.
Maddy summaryHB 5860 would prohibit Rhode Island state entities, health insurance plans, and participating ERISA plans from purchasing prescription drugs above a federally set "maximum fair price" (based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rates). The law requires these entities to use any savings from this price cap to directly reduce costs for consumers, with a focus on addressing health equity disparities. Annual reports detailing savings and how they were used to lower consumer costs must be submitted to the state insurance commissioner. This bill affects all state-funded health programs, private health insurers, and employer-sponsored health plans that choose to participate.
Requires prescription drug manufacturers to file a detailed, updated list of each pharmaceutical sales representative engaged by the manufacturer and to pay an annual fee for each name listed with the department of business regulation.
Maddy summaryHB 5433 amends Rhode Island's Health Care Reform Act to strengthen oversight of health insurance. It requires the health insurance commissioner to hold quarterly public meetings on insurer rates and services, establish an advisory council with consumer and business representatives to address small business insurance affordability, and analyze the impact of merging individual and small-employer insurance markets. The advisory council must produce annual reports on topics like provider fee transparency, claim processes, and data on quality and costs to help consumers make informed choices. These provisions directly affect health insurers, small businesses, and healthcare providers by increasing accountability and transparency in insurance regulation.
Maddy summaryHB 5452 designates the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) as the lead state agency responsible for all children's behavioral health services, including contracting for necessary programs. It requires DCYF and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop a full range of behavioral health services that prioritize alternatives to hospitalization, with a report due by February 1, 2006, detailing implementation plans and metrics. The bill also mandates that DCYF manage psychiatric hospitalizations for all children, requiring crisis intervention services before admission for Medicaid-eligible children not enrolled in RIte Care health plans. This directly affects children needing behavioral health care and the agencies managing their services.
Maddy summaryHB 5620 regulates prescription drug price increases in Rhode Island by imposing penalties on manufacturers who raise prices without supporting medical evidence. It targets drugs identified as having "unsupported price increases" through the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) annual report. Manufacturers with over $250,000 in annual sales within the state face a penalty equal to 80% of the revenue difference between actual sales and what would have been earned at the previous year’s wholesale cost (adjusted for inflation). This law directly affects pharmaceutical companies selling prescription drugs in Rhode Island and aims to curb unjustified price hikes.
Maddy summaryHB 5254 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse pharmacists for prescription drugs at a minimum of the national average cost pharmacies pay to acquire drugs plus a dispensing fee equal to Rhode Island's current Medicaid rate for such services. If the national average cost is unavailable, PBMs must pay the wholesale acquisition cost plus the same dispensing fee. This bill directly affects PBMs and pharmacies in Rhode Island by establishing clear reimbursement standards and mandating transparency in financial arrangements. It also authorizes the Health Insurance Commissioner to impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation for non-compliance, aiming to ensure fair compensation and competitive practices.
Establishes the Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program for the importation of wholesale prescription drugs from Canada, to provide savings to Rhode Island consumers.
Provides an 8% tax rate for those properties that are encumbered by a deed restriction for low-income housing set at 80% or 60% of adjusted median income established by HUD.
