Rep. Doc Corvese

Maddy summaryHB 5920 amends Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act by updating key definitions to clarify protections against housing discrimination. It specifically defines terms like "lawful source of income" (including Section 8 housing vouchers and public assistance), "disability" (excluding current illegal drug use), "assistance animals," and "gender identity or expression." These changes directly affect landlords, housing providers, and tenants by clarifying prohibited practices, such as inquiries about domestic abuse history or discrimination based on income source. The bill, currently pending in committee, aims to strengthen enforcement of existing anti-discrimination safeguards without creating new prohibitions.

Requires landlords of residential properties built before 1978 to register lead hazard mitigation information with the department of health and the information would be private and only accessible by specific entities.

Substitutes "housing resources commission" with "department of health" for lead hazard mitigation purposes. It also makes it easier for a property owner to release funds put into an escrow account, if needed to make required repairs or improvements.

Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.

Provides that stores offering food product discounts must provide the same discounts to in store customers that are offered to customers using electronic digital coupons.

Amends the section of law relative to violations for driving after denial, revocation or suspension of a license and expands the list of offenses for which an unlicensed motorist would be in violation.

Exempts recovery claims for damages due to a town's neglect in maintaining highways or bridges from the provisions of chapter 31 of title 9 on governmental tort liability.

Provides that a hearing required before a judge or magistrate may adjudge a motorist in contempt for failure to comply with the court's orders regarding a conditional hardship license, and defines penalties for violation of a hardship/interlock order.

Maddy summaryHR 6029 is a House resolution expressing condolences to the Restivo family following the passing of Jeanette Restivo, a North Providence resident known for her Italian-American community involvement and five published cookbooks. It directly affects her surviving family members, including five children, thirteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to five specific family members named in the text. This is a purely ceremonial gesture with no policy changes or funding impacts.

Requires health plans that provide prescription benefits to cover at least one type of glucagon auto-injector, nasal spray, or formulation that does not require reconstitution to treat hypoglycemia. No copayment or deductible would be required.