Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith

Maddy summaryHB 7859 updates certain sections of the state's insurance law to remove outdated provisions affecting domestic insurance companies. The bill focuses on modernizing the legal language of insurance regulations without creating new requirements or directly impacting specific policyholders. It was introduced to the House Corporations committee on February 27, 2026, and currently remains in the referral stage. This is a procedural update to administrative code, not a substantive policy change.

Amends the membership of the permanent legislative commission on child care with twenty-seven (27) members to ensure that the state has high quality and affordable childcare and early learning services network.

Establishes the Rhode Island orange heart medal to formally recognize Rhode Island veterans whose service exposed them to toxic herbicides, burn pits, or other hazardous agents.

Allows for a special RI license plate to raise awareness for colon cancer and would be designed by the partnership to reduce cancer in RI and honoring the late Maryellen Goodwin.

Maddy summaryHB 7371 sets a statewide maximum limit of 12 children for family child care homes, overriding local zoning rules that might allow larger groups. This bill directly affects family child care providers operating out of residential homes across the state. The key provision establishes a uniform statewide standard, ensuring all such homes comply with this size limit regardless of local regulations. The bill aims to standardize child care capacity rules to enhance safety and consistency for families. It is currently pending a committee hearing as of February 2026.

Requires every school district to render assistance and cooperation within its jurisdictional power to further the objects of this chapter, to wit, providing the courts with any information concerning a child as the court may require.

Maddy summaryHB 8603 amends Rhode Island driver education laws to exempt individuals in foster or adoptive homes from paying tuition fees for driver's education classes at the Community College of Rhode Island. This financial relief is funded by the Department of Children, Youth and Families and applies specifically to eligible youth receiving foster caregiving as defined by state regulations. The bill does not alter the existing curriculum, which includes instruction on alcohol and drug effects, distracted driving, and marijuana impairment, but rather removes the cost barrier for this specific group of students. By waiving enrollment fees, the legislation aims to ensure that foster and adoptive youth have equal access to the required thirty-three hours of classroom instruction needed to obtain a driver's license.

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Maddy summaryHB 7568 allows cities or towns to waive interest on overdue property tax payments for commercial or residential properties, but only under strict conditions. To qualify, property owners must have owned the property for five years, made all tax payments on time for five years, submit a written request, and have the overdue bill issued within two years. The waiver covers interest only (not the tax amount itself), with a maximum reduction of $500 per request. Local governments must create ordinances to implement this, and decisions must be documented with a notice to the city council. The bill does not change tax rates or obligations but provides limited relief for late payments meeting specific criteria.

Amends the current law on low-income housing to include moderate-income housing and eliminates the income percentages used to determine qualifications for low or moderate income housing.