Rep. Joshua Giraldo

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates April 2025 as "Organ Donation Month" in Rhode Island. It encourages residents to register as organ, eye, or tissue donors through the Rhode Island Donor Registry - primarily by adding the "Heart" symbol to driver's licenses, IDs, or real IDs at the Division of Motor Vehicles, or online at RegisterMe.org. The resolution highlights that 99% of Rhode Island donors register at the DMV and notes the state's goal of increasing donor registration to 50% of the driving population. It directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with the DMV and New England Donor Services. (Note: This is a symbolic resolution, not a law with new requirements.)

Prohibits state or municipality from contracts to detain individuals for civil immigration violations, and if such contract exists, it must end by July 1, 2026 and prohibits using public resources to detain those individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 5499 strengthens Rhode Island's Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) rules to improve access for eligible residents. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage or charging more based on health status (including preexisting conditions) for applicants under 65 with disabilities or end-stage renal disease, and guarantees issue rights for Plan A during annual enrollment. The bill also requires the state insurance commissioner to set standards for policy terms, premiums, and claims handling, while banning medical underwriting for certain applicants. These changes directly affect Rhode Island Medicare beneficiaries (ages 65+ or under 65 with qualifying disabilities) and insurers selling Medigap policies in the state. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Limits the ability for any federal immigration authority to investigate, detain, apprehend or arrest any individuals for potential violations of federal immigration laws without a judicial warrant within certain protected locations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 4, 2025, as "Transit Equity Day" in Rhode Island to honor Rosa Parks' birthday and her historic stand for equitable public transit. It symbolically recognizes the connection between her civil rights activism and the need for accessible, sustainable transportation systems that serve all communities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with transit agencies and advocacy groups to raise public awareness - without creating new laws or funding. (Note: As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect beyond symbolic recognition.)

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally designates April 2025 as "Alcohol Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It serves as a symbolic proclamation highlighting alcohol abuse as a public health concern, citing state-specific statistics like 599 annual alcohol-related deaths and high binge-drinking rates. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or mandates - it simply urges community participation in existing awareness efforts. It directs the Secretary of State to notify the Governor and health officials of the designation. (This is a procedural resolution, not a policy bill.)

Maddy summaryHB 6164 creates a new bureau of public protection within Rhode Island's Attorney General's office to address consumer protection, health care regulation, environmental issues, and civil rights. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and take legal action against businesses or organizations engaging in repeated illegal activities that harm the public, including seeking court orders to stop such conduct and recover restitution or fines. It requires the bureau to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing investigations, court applications, and outcomes like injunctions or penalties. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not apply to entities already exempted under existing law.

Extends the reporting and expiration dates, and requires letter of continued interest, to the commission studying land use, preservation, development, housing, environment, and regulation, from June 8, 2025, to June 8, 2026, and expires on June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (HR 6152), not a substantive bill. It formally congratulates the University of Rhode Island's Talent Development Program for reaching 5,000 graduates by 2025. The resolution recognizes the program's 58-year history of supporting disadvantaged Rhode Island students - particularly students of color - with admission, academic support, and retention (83.6% first-year retention rate). It specifically acknowledges key program staff, including Director Gerald R. Williams and Senior Academic Advisor Edward "Ted" Shear, but does not create new policies, funding, or direct legal obligations.

Prohibits health insurance plans from requiring prior authorization for a new episode of rehabilitative care for twelve visits, or from requiring prior authorization for rehabilitative care for chronic pain for ninety days.