Rep. Joshua Giraldo

Maddy summaryHR 8042 creates a special legislative commission to study Rhode Island's Condominium Act. The commission will examine the current law governing condominium ownership and management. This resolution directly affects condo owners and developers in Rhode Island by initiating a review that could inform future legislative changes, though it does not alter the existing law itself. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Corporations committee.

Amends current law on interpreter services to mandate hospitals provide a certified, interpreter for every non-English speaker, unless there is no national or state certification for a specific language so that a qualified interpreter may be used.

Creates the public health data privacy and protection act to regulate the reporting of information relating to reportable disease data in the possession of the department of health.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change voting eligibility rules in Rhode Island. It would remove the current 30-day state residency requirement for voting, instead allowing voters to register "by or on election day" (as stated in the summary). The amendment would also maintain a 30-day residency requirement for candidates seeking office. If approved by voters, these changes would take effect January 1, 2027, replacing the existing voting and candidacy provisions in the state constitution. The amendment must be approved by voters at the next statewide general election.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the RI Public Transit Authority to continue services, hire and train more bus operators, and implement the State's Act on Climate goals.

Requires small employers with one to fifty (1-50) employees and large employers with fifty (50) or more employees to pay overtime wages to exempt workers if their salary exceeds varying multipliers of minimum wage for a forty (40) hour workweek.

Establishes the fair chance in housing credit reports act to provide standards for which a credit report can be used in considering a rental application.

Maddy summaryHB 7758 establishes clear responsibilities for landlords and tenants regarding bed bug infestations in rental properties. Tenants must promptly notify landlords (via written or electronic notice) if they suspect bed bugs, and landlords must arrange a professional inspection within 96 hours. Landlords are responsible for all inspection and treatment costs, while tenants must allow access for inspections and prepare their unit for treatment. The bill also prohibits landlords from renting units known to have bed bugs and requires landlords to inspect adjacent units if an infestation is confirmed.

Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.

Maddy summaryHB 8113 (2026) requires residential landlords to pay interest on security deposits held for tenants. This directly affects landlords who collect security deposits and tenants who provide them. The key provision mandates that landlords pay interest on these deposits, likely calculated at a specified rate, though the exact rate isn't detailed in the abstract. The bill is currently in the introduction stage (referred to House Judiciary on 02/27/2026) and has not yet been voted on or enacted.