Rep. Stephen Casey

Maddy summaryHB 7866 raises the threshold for declaring a vehicle a total loss from 80% to 85% of its value, directly affecting insurance companies and vehicle owners during claims processing. The bill amends the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act to update this percentage standard, requiring insurers to consider a vehicle a total loss only when repair costs exceed 85% of its value. This change aims to provide clearer criteria for total loss determinations without altering other claim settlement practices. The bill was introduced to the House Corporations committee on February 27, 2026, and remains pending.

Maddy summaryHB 8046 establishes a uniform $70 fee for all court service requests, including writs, citations, and subpoenas. This bill directly affects individuals and organizations interacting with courts who must pay these service fees. The key provision sets a single fixed rate for all such court document services, replacing potentially varying fees. It does not change substantive law but standardizes a procedural cost. (1 sentence, as it's a procedural fee bill)

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions used in Rhode Island's workers' compensation system, specifically clarifying who counts as an "employee" and "employer" for legal purposes. It expands the workers' compensation court's authority to manage cases for state employees and airport workers starting in July 2025, allowing the court to decide on issues like disability status and suitable job offers. The legislation also refines how "earnings capacity" is calculated, establishing rules for when an injured worker is presumed to have regained their ability to earn money, such as after successfully working light duty for at least 13 weeks. Additionally, it clarifies that corporate officers who were previously employees generally remain covered under the act unless specific waiver procedures are followed.

Makes a series of amendments and adds new provisions of law to address business identity theft and deceptive solicitations sent to businesses and the unauthorized formation of entities.

Updates the state’s public accountancy act for consistency with the 9th edition of the Uniform Accountancy Act, as issued by NASBA and AICPA in July 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing laws to make it a crime for individuals in the custody of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections to use force or weapons against correctional officers. Specifically, it prohibits inmates from resisting lawful requests or directives given by officers, while maintaining separate rules for resisting arrests by peace officers. Anyone found guilty of violating this provision could face a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The law applies directly to people already held in correctional facilities and aims to establish clear consequences for physical resistance within those institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 8384 introduces "Casey's Law," which allows judges to impose stricter penalties on drivers convicted of misdemeanors or felonies if they are found to have acted out of "road rage." The bill defines road rage as intentionally aggressive, harassing, or dangerous behavior directed at other drivers or passengers on public roads. If a court determines beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime resulted from such behavior, the driver faces additional consequences, including mandatory fines, potential license suspension, and longer prison terms for felony offenses. All fines collected under this new provision must be placed into a dedicated fund to support public awareness campaigns about safe driving. This law does not create a new crime but rather adds enhanced sentencing options for existing offenses motivated by road rage.

Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”

Strengthens school security measures, including the establishment of a RI school emergency response committee to develop additional recommendations for school security measures and requiring an annual school safety assessment by all school districts.

Amends the state building code and would require that the state adopt the 2024 International Residential Code and prohibit the state building committee from adopting amendments for one to four residential dwelling units until 2030.