Amends the law so that child daycare providers would be required to renew their licenses every two (2) years, instead of the current yearly renewal requirement.
Expands the DCYF powers by overseeing and administer comprehensive behavioral health services for children with serious emotional disturbances and children with developmental or functional disabilities.
Eliminates fingerprinting fees for licensed childcare hires, require background checks for youth activity instructors, and allow active TS/SCI clearance to satisfy criminal background check requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 7854 updates condominium laws to improve transparency for condo owners and management. It requires clearer financial reporting and communication about building decisions, such as maintenance costs and rule changes. The bill also establishes a neutral ombudsman position to help resolve disputes between condo owners and board members. This directly affects all condominium associations and their residents across the state.
Allows a brewery to sell, deliver, and distribute its own malt beverages directly to retailers without using a wholesaler. The holder of a license for a brewery may also have 1 additional location for the retail sale of alcohol.
Maddy summaryHB 7570 establishes the Rhode Island Center for Employee Ownership (RICEO) to help small businesses transition to employee-owned models. The center, housed under the state’s business development office, provides referrals to legal/financial resources, partners with organizations to promote employee ownership benefits, and creates an inventory of existing employee-owned businesses (like worker cooperatives and ESOPs). It directly affects small business owners nearing retirement (56% are 55+ in RI) and their employees by offering support for succession planning. Key mechanisms include technical assistance, outreach programming, and measuring business stability outcomes. The bill does not create new taxes or regulations but coordinates state resources to address small business succession challenges.
Maddy summaryThis resolution formally welcomes the Narragansett Council of Scouting America to the Rhode Island State House on March 24, 2026, and celebrates Scouting Month in February. The bill recognizes the organization's youth development programs, community service efforts, and educational opportunities provided to thousands of Rhode Island youth and families. It acknowledges specific achievements such as food collection during a government shutdown, camp attendance, and leadership training programs. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Scout Executive as official recognition of the council's contributions.
Maddy summaryHB 8012, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, allows cities and towns to use automated camera systems to detect specific traffic violations that endanger pedestrians. It authorizes fines of $50 for violations like failing to yield to pedestrians, stopping improperly at crosswalks, or ignoring stop signs, primarily in school zones, hospital areas, work zones, or high-pedestrian-risk locations. Registered vehicle owners - not drivers - are liable for fines, with municipalities required to send detailed violation notices including photos/videos and appeal options. For the first 30 days after implementation, cities must issue warnings instead of fines to educate drivers. The law does not create new traffic offenses but enables local enforcement of existing pedestrian safety rules through automated monitoring.
Requires the state and private health insurers to reimburse claims for healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the same amount as the reimbursement paid to a physician performing the service in the area served.
Maddy summaryHB 8143 allows cities and towns to rehire public safety retirees (such as police officers and firefighters) under specific conditions. The bill establishes a framework for municipal employers to bring back qualified retired employees, subject to defined criteria like position availability and approval processes. This directly affects retired public safety workers seeking to return to service and local governments managing staffing needs. The law focuses on creating a clear, conditional process for reemployment without altering retirement benefits or eligibility rules.
