Rep. Bill O'Brien

Maddy summaryHB 7985 would require individuals making public records requests to provide their identifying information. This bill directly affects anyone seeking public records from government agencies by adding a new step to the request process. The key provision mandates that requesters share personal details like name or contact information when submitting a request. The bill is currently in the early stages, having been introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House State Government & Elections committee.

Maddy summaryHB 7007 allows eligible disabled voters and military/veteran voters (covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) to receive and return mail ballots electronically. The bill amends election laws to permit secure electronic transmission of ballots through systems meeting NIST cybersecurity standards, with independent security reviews required. It specifically extends the existing electronic ballot process - previously for military voters - to include disabled voters who meet accessibility criteria (e.g., blindness, mobility impairment). Voters submitting ballots electronically will not need to witness or notarize signatures, aligning with federal accessibility standards under the Rehabilitation Act. The bill expires December 31, 2025.

Requires that insurance policies for property damage, personal injuries, and indemnification other than payment of compensation for workers compensation, state policy limits and no amount of the policy may be used to pay costs to defend a claim.

Maddy summaryHB 7267 establishes insurance requirements for peer-to-peer car sharing programs, where individuals rent their personal vehicles through apps. It mandates that during the entire sharing period (from pickup to return), vehicles must have insurance meeting state minimums, and the car sharing platform must cover third-party injuries or property damage unless fraud or failure to return the vehicle occurred. If the owner or driver’s insurance lapses, the platform must provide coverage starting from the first dollar of a claim. This directly affects car sharing platforms, vehicle owners, and drivers using these services.

Permits non-sworn public safety officers/security guards at private colleges/universities to detain individuals for no longer than 30 minutes within the campus’s jurisdiction if the officer or guard believes the person committed a criminal offense.

Maddy summaryHB 7556 requires all campus police officers at Rhode Island state colleges and universities to wear ballistic body armor meeting the same standard as state police. This mandate directly affects campus law enforcement officers who patrol college properties and enforce campus rules. The bill amends existing law to specify that officers must be equipped with this protective gear while performing their duties, without changing their arrest powers or other responsibilities. The requirement would take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Authorizes retired police officers and firefighters to earn income in addition to their earnable compensation; provided that, the amount would not exceed 5 times the rate of earnable compensation currently in force.

Affords an option for police and firefighters to receive retirement allowances, without reduction, who seek retirement after twenty (20) years of service, upon reaching age fifty-seven (57).

Maddy summaryHB 8012, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, allows cities and towns to use automated camera systems to detect specific traffic violations that endanger pedestrians. It authorizes fines of $50 for violations like failing to yield to pedestrians, stopping improperly at crosswalks, or ignoring stop signs, primarily in school zones, hospital areas, work zones, or high-pedestrian-risk locations. Registered vehicle owners - not drivers - are liable for fines, with municipalities required to send detailed violation notices including photos/videos and appeal options. For the first 30 days after implementation, cities must issue warnings instead of fines to educate drivers. The law does not create new traffic offenses but enables local enforcement of existing pedestrian safety rules through automated monitoring.

Allows nonprofit organizations to participate in permitted games of chance upon registering with the state police on an annual basis. The nonprofit would be exempt from any required background checks by local law enforcement.