Rep. Anthony DeSimone

Maddy summaryHB 5836 requires every high school in Rhode Island to offer a yearlong "ethnic studies" course starting with the 2026-27 school year. This course would study American history and the experiences of racialized communities, including specific histories such as Native American, Black, Asian American, and Latin American. It would become a social studies core credit and a high school graduation requirement for students graduating in 2030 and beyond. The bill also establishes a student-led ethnic studies leadership council to oversee curriculum development and implementation.

Allows for the licensing of certified surgical first assistants to assist in surgeries through the department of health and a seven (7) member board of licensure.

Maddy summaryHB 5335 proposes to terminate the extended turnaround plan for the Providence public school district (PPSD). Specifically, the bill would nullify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's decision from August 29, 2024, which extended the PPSD's turnaround action plan until October 15, 2027. If enacted, this means the PPSD would no longer be operating under that particular extended turnaround status. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5766 proposes to reinstate cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for individuals receiving retirement benefits from the state retirement system. These adjustments would become payable to retirees and beneficiaries under a specific condition. The bill's key mechanism specifies that COLAs will be granted only when the retirement system's annual investment return exceeds ten percent.

Maddy summaryHB 5762 proposes to recalculate retirement allowances and pension benefits for teachers, state employees, and municipal employees. The bill establishes new percentage allowance schedules for determining benefits based on an employee's years of service, with different rates for various periods of service. It also revises the method for calculating a retiree's average highest compensation, specifying different look-back periods depending on their retirement date and membership start date. These changes include new calculation methods for service before and after July 1, 2012, with additional adjustments taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 5530 (HB 5530) allows state employees to negotiate longevity payments as part of their collective bargaining agreements, effective July 1, 2025. This bill amends existing law that had previously ceased further longevity increases for most state employees since 2011. The change permits state employee unions to include these payments in future contract negotiations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 6223) is a symbolic resolution, not a law, that formally declares April 2025 as "Autism Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It recognizes the growing impact of autism (affecting about 1 in 36 children) and acknowledges efforts by individuals and agencies to support autistic residents and their families. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Autism Society of Rhode Island Chapter. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy changes or funding impacts but aims to raise public recognition of autism-related issues.

Maddy summaryHB 5785 creates a temporary sales tax holiday on August 9-10, 2025, waiving sales tax on most nonbusiness retail purchases of tangible personal property. It excludes telecommunications, tobacco, fuel, vehicles, meals, and single items priced over $2,500. Vendors cannot collect tax on qualifying purchases during those dates and must refund any improperly collected tax. The bill requires vendors to maintain regular reporting obligations and mandates a post-holiday revenue report to state committees. This policy directly affects individual consumers making eligible purchases during the two-day window.

Provides that exemptions to the prohibition of liquor licenses within two hundred feet (200') of schools or places of worship do not eliminate neighboring property owners’ remonstrance rights to object to the license.

Maddy summaryHB 5297 allows married partners of inmates to have conjugal visits at state correctional facilities under specific rules. It sets a maximum of four hours per visit and six visits annually, prohibits video monitoring, and bans contraband exchanges during visits. To schedule a visit, applicants must provide a marriage certificate and follow facility procedures. The Corrections Department must create implementation rules and train staff by the bill's effective date of January 1, 2026. This directly affects incarcerated individuals and their spouses seeking these visits.