Rep. Dick Fascia

Maddy summaryHB 7732, the "Fairness in Women's Sports Act," requires public schools and colleges to designate athletic teams based solely on biological sex at birth, not gender identity. It mandates that teams for female athletes must be exclusively for students identified as female at birth, verified through medical documentation of reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetics. The bill prohibits schools from facing penalties for maintaining separate female teams and allows affected students to sue if denied athletic opportunities due to this policy. It directly affects female athletes in public school sports programs and the institutions that govern them.

Generates an estate tax discharge upon the recording of a statement by the executor or other estate representative that the value of the decedent’s gross estate does not require a state or federal tax filing.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 2026 as "National Credit Education Month" in Rhode Island to promote financial literacy and responsible credit management. It directly affects consumers, financial institutions, and educational organizations by encouraging workshops, webinars, and seminars on budgeting, saving, and debt management. The resolution specifically commends local groups like RI Jump$tart Coalition and Junior Achievement of Rhode Island for their financial education efforts. The Secretary of State is authorized to send certified copies of the resolution to the National Financial Educators Council to recognize these initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 7365 proposes a voluntary portable benefit plan for independent contractors, allowing them to access benefits like health insurance or retirement savings that stay with them across different jobs. The bill establishes that contributions to this plan cannot be used to determine employment classification (e.g., employee vs. independent contractor) or affect employer liability for workers' compensation. Key provisions require the plan to be offered through regulated insurance or employment security programs, ensuring benefits remain tied to the individual, not any specific employer. This applies directly to independent contractors and hiring parties who choose to participate, with no mandatory participation for either party. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not create new benefits but enables existing systems to operate portably.

Creates 5 member commission to study the way insurance plans/traditional employer-provided benefits are given to Uber/Lyft drivers, self-directed personal care attendants and others providing services to public, and reports back 1/5/27 and expires 3/5/27.

Provides that stores offering food product discounts must provide the same discounts to in-store customers that are offered to customers using electronic digital coupons.

Maddy summaryHB 7418 would establish medical and dental schools at the University of Rhode Island, authorizing the conferral of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degrees. The bill requires the schools to seek accreditation from medical (LCME) and dental (CODA) bodies and mandates clinical training partnerships with hospitals and health centers. It also allows the university to retain revenue from faculty practice plans to support educational, clinical, and research activities. The legislation directly affects Rhode Island residents by aiming to expand healthcare workforce capacity and improve access to care, particularly for underserved communities.

Places a cap of twenty percent (20%) on increases in consecutive revaluations of real property in all cities and towns conducting revaluations commencing December 31, 2026, and every December 31 thereafter.

Maddy summaryHR 7812 is a joint resolution appropriating $3.5 million from the state treasury for the restoration and enhancement of the paved walking path around Meshanticut Lake in Cranston, Rhode Island. The funds will address safety hazards like cracks and uneven terrain caused by wear and weather, with specific focus on resurfacing and structural improvements to ensure safe, accessible access for all users. This directly benefits Cranston residents - over 82,000 people - including park visitors of all ages, local youth athletes from schools like Cranston High School, and individuals with mobility impairments. The resolution authorizes the state controller to release the funds upon proper documentation, aiming to preserve the park as a key recreational resource.

Increases the number of days a retired municipal employee could work in a calendar year without interruption of pension benefits to ninety (90) days or its equivalent of six hundred thirty (630) hours.