Rep. Mike Chippendale

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September as Substance Use Recovery Awareness Month in Rhode Island and urges state agencies, healthcare providers, educators, employers, media outlets, and community organizations to replace stigmatizing terms like "addict" or "clean" with person-first language (e.g., "person with a substance use disorder" or "in recovery"). It calls for adopting respectful communication to reduce barriers to treatment and recovery, emphasizing evidence-based approaches endorsed by health organizations. The resolution also supports statewide educational campaigns on stigma and invites the public to attend a Recovery Day Event at the Rhode Island State House on May 29, 2025. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but promotes cultural change in how substance use disorders are discussed.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 6358) formally congratulates the Wheeler School Academic Decathlon team and their coach, Dayna Cueva Alegria, for winning first place at the 2025 Rhode Island Academic Decathlon. It recognizes the team's achievement of scoring over 34,000 points - their first championship since 2008 - and specifically highlights individual medal winners. As a ceremonial resolution (not substantive legislation), it has no policy impact and simply directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the coach. The resolution directly affects the Wheeler School students, their coach, and the Rhode Island Academic Decathlon program.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural House Resolution expressing condolences for the passing of multiple individuals, including elected officials and their family members. It lists specific deceased persons (such as Representatives and Speakers) and formally extends the House's sympathy to their bereaved families. The resolution requests the Secretary of State to send a memorial to the families. As a non-binding expression of sympathy, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 5145 amends the existing definitions related to motor vehicles. Specifically, it expands the definition of an "automobile" for registration purposes to include trucks that have a gross vehicle weight of 8,000 pounds or less. This change allows owners of these lighter trucks to obtain passenger registration license plates instead of other types of vehicle registration.

Maddy summaryHB 5777 proposes to repeal the legal authority for the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to implement tolls on state roads and bridges. This bill would remove the power of the authority to charge and collect tolls for transit over the turnpike and facilities such as the Newport Bridge, Mount Hope Bridge, Sakonnet River Bridge, and Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge. If enacted, it would directly affect the funding mechanisms of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and users of these roadways.

Maddy summaryHB 5475 proposes to exempt new and used bicycles from state sales and use taxes. This means that individuals purchasing a bicycle would no longer be charged sales tax on that transaction. The bill amends existing state laws that outline which goods and services are exempt from sales and use taxes, adding bicycles to that list. This change directly affects consumers who buy bicycles and businesses that sell them.

Creates an 11-member commission to study and provide recommendations and potential solutions to address the flooding of the Pawtuxet River, and who would report back by March 2, 2026, and would expire on June 2, 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6277 clarifies eligibility for the "Stay Invested in RI Wavemaker Fellowships" program, which provides tax credits for education loan repayment. The bill expands the definition of a "full-time employee" for healthcare practitioners to include those working as sole proprietors, partners in a healthcare service partnership, or members of a single-member LLC. To qualify, these individuals must work a minimum of 35 hours per week in Rhode Island. This change applies to healthcare professionals who have submitted applications on or after July 1, 2022.

Requires DCYF to establish segregated savings account for foster care child receiving SS, SSI, veterans benefits or railroad retirement benefits to manage the accounts and keep child eligible for future benefits.

Prohibits the Rhode Island medical assistance program and managed care organizations that it contracts with from requiring prior authorization or step therapy protocol for a prescription of a nonpreferred anticonvulsant or antipsychotic.