Rep. Stephen Casey

Maddy summaryHB 6060 extends the authorization for licensed physical therapists to order diagnostic imaging (like X-rays or MRIs) beyond the original December 31, 2025, sunset date. The bill modifies existing law to permanently remove the expiration date, allowing physical therapists to continue this practice without further legislative action. It maintains existing requirements, including reporting imaging results to a patient’s primary care physician within seven days (if one exists) and mandating annual utilization reports from healthcare plans to the legislature. This directly affects physical therapists and their patients by preserving current clinical authority.

Extends certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, as well as updates warranty reimbursement and recall obligation policies.

Maddy summaryHB 5622 requires the state to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by July 1, 2025, enabling out-of-state medical providers to practice telemedicine in the state more easily. It directly affects patients seeking telehealth services and out-of-state doctors who want to provide care across state lines. The bill creates new rules allowing patients to access telemedicine from out-of-state providers under the compact and directs health agencies to develop implementing regulations. This changes how medical licensure is handled for telehealth, removing barriers for providers from participating states.

Maddy summaryHB 5309 increases the property tax exemption for qualifying veterans from $1,000 to $6,000 on municipal property taxes. It directly affects veterans who served in designated conflicts (including the Civil War, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf War) and were honorably discharged. The bill amends existing law to raise the base exemption amount, though some towns like Burrillville, Cranston, and Smithfield already maintain different local exemption levels. This change provides greater tax relief for veterans owning property in Rhode Island municipalities.

Creates a voluntary program through which registrants of electric and hybrid motor vehicles can request stickers to affix to enclosures housing such vehicles to promote first responders' safety in responding to electrical fires.

Maddy summaryHB 5802 allows Rhode Island state agencies to develop housing on state-owned vacant, abandoned, or underutilized land without needing local zoning approval. It requires state agencies to hold a public hearing and demonstrate that housing projects align with state planning goals, address housing needs (including low- and moderate-income options), and minimize negative impacts on traffic, environment, or historic sites. The bill streamlines this process by exempting such state-led housing projects from standard municipal planning requirements, provided they follow the new hearing and justification rules. This directly affects state agencies planning housing developments on state-owned properties, aiming to accelerate housing construction where land is available.

Creates a 14 member commission to study and provide recommendations for viable alternative fuels, excluding solar and wind, and associated infrastructure and costs of its development, and would report back by March 10, 2026, and expire on May 10, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 6063 upgrades penalties for specific personal watercraft safety violations from civil to criminal offenses. It makes violations of safety rules in sections 46-27-2(b) and 46-27-2(h) punishable as misdemeanors, with fines up to $500 or up to six months in jail per violation, plus potential six-month operating suspensions. Other safety rule violations remain civil offenses with $250 fines. The law directly affects personal watercraft operators in Rhode Island who break these specific safety provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5160 clarifies that any change in an insurance producer’s pay (compensation) is considered a "contract modification" under Rhode Island’s insurance licensing law. It requires insurers to provide 180 days’ written notice before modifying such contracts, affecting producers who work with multiple insurers. The bill also mandates 14 months’ notice for canceling a producer’s contract, with continued policy renewal at prior rates during that period. Exceptions apply for producers convicted of dishonest acts, revoked licenses, or employees of the insurer. This law directly impacts insurance agents/brokers and their business relationships with insurers.

Requires the installation of universal changing stations in all newly constructed, reconstructed, or remodeled public buildings and places of public accommodation.