Rep. Bob Phillips

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution offering condolences to the family of Paul T. DeRoche, a longtime lobbyist for the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce who recently passed away. It recognizes his thirty-seven-year career in government affairs and his role as a respected fixture at the State House. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to Dr. Helen M. Caldwell and her family.

Prevents insurance companies from treating widowed persons differently than married persons when establishing or maintaining an insured's rate or classification respecting the operation of a personal motor vehicle. Effective 1/1/25.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public official" to include school superintendents, principals, central office staff, and all other school employees. By making this change, it ensures that making threats against these individuals is treated as a criminal offense under the same rules currently applied to elected officials, judges, and law enforcement officers. The law specifies that such threats must be made because of the person's role or public duties and carry penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of $5,000, or both. This update directly affects schools by extending criminal protections to their staff and clarifies that threats motivated by hostility toward their positions are illegal.

Expands the definition of door-to-door salespersons to include those who sell services and authorize the town of Cumberland to license and regulate door-to-door salespersons in the same manner as hawkers and peddlers.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes allocating $250,000 in state funds to the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of Rhode Island for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The money is intended to support the council's mission of coordinating community-based services for mental health and substance use prevention and treatment. The legislation authorizes the state controller to release these funds from the general treasury upon receipt of proper financial documentation. This measure directly affects the council's ability to operate and the availability of services for Rhode Island residents struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution officially welcomes the Narragansett Council of the Scouts BSA to the Rhode Island State House and celebrates Scouting Month in February. The bill highlights the organization's extensive impact in the state, noting its thousands of youth participants, significant community service hours, and various educational programs that foster leadership and character development. It specifically acknowledges the council's facilities, including Camp Yawgoog and Adventure Base Camp, as well as their recent inclusion of girls in scouting programs. The resolution also recognizes the council's proposal to build a new Leadership and Program Center to expand year-round activities for Rhode Island youth.

All Medicaid programs operated by EOHHS would not reimburse home care providers less than fee-for-service rates adopted by rate review recommendations of the office of health insurance commissioners.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 12th through May 18th, 2024, as National Hospital Week in Rhode Island to honor healthcare workers and the vital role hospitals play in the community. The resolution acknowledges the economic and health contributions of local hospitals, noting that they provide essential services and support thousands of jobs in the state. It formally thanks medical professionals for their dedication and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the President of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.

Provides for increases or decreases in the amount of foundation level school support that a community would receive, based upon a community's ability to meet and surpass its minimum low- and moderate-income housing requirements.

Dictates the length a search warrant involving a tracking device would be valid and provide a process to extend the time frame of the tracking device for good cause.