Prohibits any health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, manufacturer or other third-party payor from discriminating against any 340B entity participating in a drug discount program.
Creates a special license plate for the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. that would support the Blackstone River Valley Environmental Clean-up and Education Fund.
Maddy summaryHB 5322 extends a temporary allowance for retired teachers in Rhode Island to substitute teach up to 180 days per school year (instead of the standard 90-day limit) through July 1, 2026. School districts must first prove they couldn't fill positions with non-retired teachers and report their total certified teaching positions to the state retirement board, while also limiting retired teacher hires to no more than 5% of their total certified positions. This change applies retroactively to June 20, 2025, and directly affects retired teachers seeking substitute roles and school districts facing staffing shortages. The bill does not provide additional retirement credits or require contributions from retired teachers for this work.
Authorizes the city of Woonsocket to levy a tax for its fiscal year at a rate of five and one-half percent (5.5%) in excess of the amount levied and certified by the city for the prior year.
Maddy summaryHB 5598 requires all public schools in the state to create and implement a written policy restricting student use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches) during school hours and school activities. The policy must aim to reduce distractions, support learning, and protect student privacy and safety, while explicitly allowing exceptions for students needing assistive technology under IEPs/504 plans, medical devices (e.g., glucose monitors), or language support programs. Schools must develop these policies in consultation with staff representatives, notify parents, and file them with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which will provide annual guidance. The law takes effect on August 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 6319 clarifies workers' compensation coverage for sworn police and fire department employees in Rhode Island. The bill explicitly excludes most city and town police and fire department members from standard workers' compensation benefits under chapters 29-38, except for appeals related to retirement board orders. However, it specifically includes Rhode Island Airport Corporation police and aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) units in coverage for all benefit determinations. This change directly affects municipal police/fire personnel (who lose standard workers' comp access) and airport ARFF staff (who gain consistent coverage), while maintaining existing rules for other employee categories.
Maddy summaryHB 6212 reclassifies certain gift card fraud offenses as larceny under criminal law, directly affecting gift card holders, issuers, and retailers. The bill makes it a crime to: (1) steal or keep a gift card without consent under $1,500 (larceny, up to $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail), (2) alter a gift card (misdemeanor, same penalties), or (3) use stolen cards over $1,500 (larceny with standard penalties). It replaces prior civil penalties ($250 max) with criminal consequences for intentional fraud. The law takes effect upon passage and applies to both physical and digital gift cards.
Maddy summaryHR 6327 is a joint resolution rejecting 11 proposed salary increases for unclassified service directors of Rhode Island state executive departments. It directly affects 11 department directors whose salary adjustments were referred to the General Assembly by the Department of Administration under state law (RIGL § 36-4-16.4). The resolution formally rejects these specific proposals, preventing the increases from taking effect. The bill passed the House on May 13, 2025, and was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Requires anyone engaged in the sale of goods or services, and who offers a discount to its customers’ for utilizing automatic payment systems, via ACH or EFT or similar payment systems, provide the same discount to any person who is sixty-five (65
Forbids a motor vehicle liability insurance carrier from considering the zip code of where an insured lives for purposes of calculating their policy premium.
