Maddy summaryHB 8531 amends Rhode Island's compulsory attendance laws to give school committees the authority to deny or defer approval of homeschooling plans under specific circumstances. The bill requires schools to implement due diligence interventions, such as consulting with parents and support teams, before referring truant students to family court. It also establishes a formal process for approving alternative learning plans and extended withdrawals, which allow students to take breaks or reduce their coursework while remaining enrolled, particularly considering pandemic-related disruptions. Additionally, the legislation prohibits schools from using truancy as the sole reason for out-of-school suspensions and mandates that private schools and at-home instruction meet specific attendance and curriculum standards.
Rep. Deb Fellela
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that congratulates RIPIN, a Rhode Island nonprofit organization, on its 35th anniversary. It recognizes the group's work in helping families navigate healthcare, special education, and aging services through peer support and advocacy. The resolution formally acknowledges RIPIN's role as a key resource for residents and authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the organization.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 10-16, 2026, as National Hospital Week in Rhode Island to honor healthcare workers and hospitals. It acknowledges the vital role hospitals play in providing medical care and supporting the state's economy. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Hospital Association of Rhode Island to mark the observance.
Maddy summaryThis Rhode Island House resolution formally honors and celebrates Armed Forces Day on May 16, 2026, to recognize the service of all U.S. military personnel. The bill acknowledges the sacrifices made by active and reserve members and their families while thanking them for protecting the nation's freedoms. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Rhode Island Adjutant General for official record-keeping. As a commemorative measure, the legislation does not change laws or policies but serves to express state appreciation for the armed forces.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a state-level resolution from Rhode Island that urges the U.S. Congress to pass technical amendments to the federal Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. It directly affects individuals who were exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and are seeking compensation for health injuries. The resolution highlights ongoing issues such as claim processing delays and legal uncertainties, calling for changes to improve the fairness and speed of the claims process. The text does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recommendation to the federal government to address these administrative challenges.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island's Healthcare Services Funding Plan Act to require health insurers to contribute an additional $30 million annually starting in 2026 to support the MomsPRN and PediPRN teleconsultation lines. These programs provide mental health consultation and referral services to pediatric, perinatal, and primary care providers through telephone hotlines. The funding is collected from insurers based on their number of enrollees and deposited into a restricted account managed by the Department of Health. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health submit annual reports on program costs and provides insurers with access to detailed cost information upon request.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution appropriates $500,000 from state funds to the United Way of Rhode Island for operational support of its 2-1-1 human services hotline. The 2-1-1 system provides Rhode Islanders with free, 24/7 access to confidential assistance - covering housing, healthcare, food, disaster response, and other critical services - in nearly 200 languages. The funding directly supports the hotline’s existing operations, which handled over 190,000 requests in 2023-2024. It does not create new services or policy changes but ensures continued access to an established resource for residents seeking immediate help.
Maddy summaryHB 7807 exempts meals served in licensed childcare centers from Rhode Island's sales and use taxes. This bill amends the state tax code to explicitly include licensed childcare centers alongside schools and educational institutions in the existing exemption for meals served to students or teachers. The change directly affects licensed childcare centers by removing a sales tax burden on meals provided to their enrolled children or staff. This policy update clarifies and expands current tax exemptions without altering tax rates or creating new administrative requirements.
Establishes a fund and the operations necessary for a hotline for suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis management. Also instates a monthly surcharge on telephone lines to fund the 988 call center.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the second week of May 2026 as "Lung Cancer Action Week" throughout Rhode Island to raise awareness about lung cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. It directly affects Rhode Island residents by encouraging educational activities focused on early detection methods, such as low-dose CT scans, and highlighting risks for specific groups like veterans and non-smokers. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic declaration to promote public understanding of the disease. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the American Lung Association.