Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith

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.

Requires any state agency that prints more than fifty (50) copies of a contract, publication, brochure, notice, or promotional material to use state-owned or operated print shop capable of processing the material.

Maddy summaryHB 5357 repeals a provision that required women in the community corrections program for women offenders to pay additional fees for prostitution-related offenses. Specifically, it removes mandatory assessments of $500 for felony convictions or $350 for misdemeanor convictions, which were previously added to court fines. This change directly affects women sentenced to community correctional programs under the program’s eligibility criteria (those sentenced to two years or less or awaiting trial in women’s correctional facilities). The bill eliminates these financial penalties, ensuring women in the program are no longer subject to these extra costs. The bill became law after being signed by the governor on June 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6157 creates a new commercial fishing license for Rhode Island residents to harvest invasive green crabs (Carcinus maenas) at a $10 annual fee. The bill authorizes residents to legally remove this invasive species, which threatens local ecosystems, and allows the director to establish regulations for the license. This policy directly affects Rhode Island residents seeking to commercially target green crabs as a management tool, with the license taking effect January 1, 2026.

Amends the definitions of a “pupil transportation vehicle” to a vehicle contrasted to seat not more than ten (10) passengers plus the operator, rather than the existing limit of eight (8) passengers.

Maddy summaryHB 6378 allows tenants to have eviction court records sealed under specific conditions, directly affecting individuals involved in dismissed or resolved eviction cases. It permits sealing if a case was dismissed due to a defective complaint, lack of court jurisdiction, resolved by settlement with full payment, or dismissed for inactivity after five years. The bill also requires sealing records involving minors in eviction proceedings, and clarifies that such sealed records do not count toward a tenant's one-sealing-per-five-year limit. This policy change aims to provide relief for tenants with certain cleared eviction histories.

Updates the statutory terminology by replacing the phrase "institutions of higher learning" with that of "educational institutions", and would redefine child daycare centers as educational institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 5558 requires all new and renewing contractor applicants in Rhode Island to submit a legible copy of a valid government-issued ID as part of their registration application. This change directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to register as contractors, adding a new verification step to the existing application process. The bill does not alter other requirements like insurance documentation, education hours, or background checks, but mandates this ID submission to confirm applicant identity. The provision takes effect upon passage and applies to all contractor registration applications submitted after the law is enacted.

Authorizes the city of Central Falls, via home rule charter or city ordinance, to create a school board with all powers and duties thereto, to govern the Central Falls school district.