Rep. Deb Fellela

Maddy summaryHB 5557 updates Rhode Island's licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. It establishes biennial license renewals (every two years), requires maintaining a clinical certificate, and creates clear pathways for speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) to qualify with specific education and training. The bill directly affects licensed professionals and SLPAs by defining their scope of practice - such as assisting under supervision with screenings and therapy - while requiring documented training and supervision for SLPAs. Key changes include standardized renewal fees, inactive status options for non-practitioners, and detailed SLPA certification requirements like 18 graduate credit hours and 100 supervised clinical hours.

Maddy summaryHB 6173 establishes the Rhode Island Anti-Bid-Rigging Act to prohibit coordinated schemes that manipulate competitive bidding for government contracts. The law defines "bid rigging" as activities like price fixing, identical bids, or rotating bids among contractors or officials, making it a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison and fines up to $1 million or three times the contract value. It directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and government officials involved in public procurement, prohibiting them from conspiring to influence bids or improperly sharing sensitive bid information. Violators face debarment from state contracts for up to five years, with government entities required to maintain exclusion lists. The law applies to all state and local government procurement processes under Titles 37 and 45.

Requires that the basic education program data collection information for students that attend career and technical education schools be charged to the receiving school district and not the sending school district.

Requires payments by the corporation increase from a $3.00 tipping fee per vehicle to a $6.00 tipping fee per vehicle, unless exempt. This act would also require fees be paid to Johnston on an annual rather than a biannual basis.

Provide protection for the rights of professional, administrative and secretarial employees of the department of education to collectively bargain over all terms and conditions of employment.

Maddy summaryHB 5158 removes the requirement for applicants to pass a standardized written exam to become a licensed clinical social worker in Rhode Island, effective until August 15, 2030. This change directly affects social workers seeking clinical licensure in the state, eliminating a key barrier to entry. The bill also directs the licensing board to consider accommodations for non-English speakers and explore alternative qualification paths to better serve Rhode Island's diverse communities. The law aims to increase access to licensure while maintaining other qualification standards like education and experience.

Prohibits credit reporting, executions, attachments against a principal residence for judgments based on medical debt. Defines medical debt as an amount for the receipt of health care services, products, or devices.

Clarifies roles and regulatory authority for the administration of the program involving the repurposing of vacant schools for housing, extends the deadline for conducting feasibility studies and expands access to all municipalities.

Maddy summaryHB 5709 modernizes the process for permanently disabled voters and long-term nursing home residents to automatically receive mail ballots for every election. It allows these voters to apply by submitting a simple form (affidavit) to their local election office, which will then send mail ballot applications to them without needing to reapply each election. The bill adds an online application option through the secretary of state’s portal and permits eligible voters to electronically return mail ballots using the same system as military and overseas voters, ensuring accessibility compliance. This directly affects voters with long-term disabilities or nursing home residency by simplifying their ballot access.

Provides that the “meetings” requirements from § 34-36.1-3.08 be applicable to condominiums created before July 1, 1982, and would permit remote participation in condominium meetings.