Rep. Joshua Giraldo

Amends the Rhode Island works program to allow lawful permanent residents to receive benefits without a waiting period and increases the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $200,000 to fund Rhode Island's Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program. It provides low-income SNAP recipients with double the value of their benefits when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating local farmers markets and farmstands. The funds directly support both low-income families accessing nutritious food and small-scale Rhode Island farms selling produce. The money will be administered by Farm Fresh RI to sustain this existing program, which has distributed over $1.7 million since 2009.

Maddy summaryHB 7241 establishes a state tax credit for Rhode Island residents who provide unpaid care to qualifying family members. It allows eligible caregivers (earning under $50,000 individually or $100,000 jointly) to claim a 50% credit on out-of-pocket expenses for caregiving, capped at $1,000 annually. Eligible expenses include home modifications, medical equipment, hiring aides, or respite care, but exclude insurance-covered costs or general home maintenance. The credit applies to expenses incurred after 2026 for family members aged 65+ or with disability benefits who live with the caregiver and need help with at least two basic self-care tasks (like bathing or dressing).

Eliminates the sunset on the provision of funding, modify eligibility requirement to 85% of state median income and expand funding to at least 20 hours per week.

Maddy summaryHB 7393, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," expands eligibility for childcare assistance to families with incomes at or below 85% of the state median income, aligning with federal guidelines. This change directly affects low-income families with children under 12 who need childcare to work, attend job training, or enroll in college. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to provide free childcare for families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and a sliding fee scale (capping at 7% of income) for others. It also maintains a $1 million liquid assets limit for eligibility and emphasizes meeting federal "equal access" standards for childcare rates.

Codifies child care copayments in law, expand zero copays to families under 125% FPL, lower costs for working families, and cap most copayments at 6% while preserving a 7% statutory maximum.

Maddy summaryThis bill funds Rhode Island's Baby Bonds program by allocating $3,000 annually per eligible newborn (born in the prior calendar year) from unclaimed property funds, rather than using taxpayer dollars. It directs the state administrator to set aside this amount from unclaimed intangible/tangible property remittances before depositing remaining funds into the general fund. The program provides financial resources to newborns in Rhode Island through this dedicated funding stream. The law takes effect July 1, 2027.

Changes annual reporting requirements for the state’s family home-visiting program and also impacts appropriation and spending of funds in order to access maximum federal funding for these programs.

Amends current law so that private side lead service replacement costs, financed by the water supplier's customers that may be eligible for reimbursement from the state, would no longer be subject to appropriation by the general assembly.

Maddy summaryHR 8209 is a joint resolution that authorizes the federal government to provide $250,000 in direct funding to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC). This bill directly affects the RDC, a nonprofit organization supporting refugees, by providing it with a specific sum of money for its operations. The key provision is a one-time appropriation of $250,000, which the RDC would use to support its refugee assistance programs. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.