Requires all health care facilities to provide functional automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and least one person who is properly trained in the operation and use of an AED.
Maddy summaryHB 7505, known as the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, allows hybrid cannabis cultivators and retailers to advertise their products during a specific transitional period. This temporary measure applies to businesses that currently sell both medical and adult-use cannabis while the state finalizes its new regulatory rules. The bill requires these businesses to maintain strict separation between medical and adult-use inventory and sales, ensure continued service levels for medical patients, and follow detailed operational plans until a new commission takes over full regulatory authority. By signing this act, the Governor enabled these businesses to legally market their goods while the state prepares for a more permanent regulatory framework.
Enables cities and towns to enact enabling legislation authorizing a partner program to assist students with an IEP for specially designed physical education classes.
Makes care recipients eligible for temporary caregiver benefits and increase the maximum temporary caregiver benefit weeks from six (6) to eight (8) weeks over of period of two years.
Requires landlords to list all mandatory fees when advertising any residential property for rent in the same section of the agreement as the rent disclosure.
Maddy summaryHB 7350 establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact, a new agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across multiple states with a single license. This legislation directly affects social work professionals who wish to move between states or provide telehealth services to clients in different jurisdictions, as well as the state agencies that regulate these professions. The bill creates a commission to manage the compact and maintain a shared database of licensure and disciplinary records, while ensuring that each state retains the authority to protect public health and safety. By eliminating the need for separate licenses in every state, the measure aims to reduce administrative burdens, improve access to social work services, and better support military families.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for Rhode Island's Small Business Advocacy Council to ensure the group includes 21 members, including representatives from small businesses, nonprofits, and higher education. It establishes a specific appointment process where public members are selected by state officials like the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders, while also including ex officio members from various government departments. The council is required to meet at least four times a year to advise on small business issues, and its members serve without pay.
Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation (RIHMFC) exclusive authority to manage federal funds for low-income housing projects across the state. It designates RIHMFC as the sole public agency permitted to administer these specific rental subsidy allocations, though it allows for agreements with other authorized entities or related organizations. The legislation also expands RIHMFC's legal powers to enter into contracts, form partnerships, and operate businesses necessary to carry out these housing assistance programs. By centralizing this responsibility, the law ensures that all such federal housing funds within Rhode Island are administered through a single designated body.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island's inclusionary zoning law to require that developments with ten or more units include at least 15% affordable housing for a minimum of 30 years. It allows municipalities to offer density bonuses, such as adding two market-rate units for every affordable unit, or to accept alternative contributions like off-site construction, land donations, or fee-in-lieu payments instead of on-site affordable units. However, projects using these alternative methods are not eligible for the density bonus, and any fees collected must be deposited into restricted accounts to fund new affordable housing within the municipality. The legislation also establishes annual reporting requirements for municipalities and the state to track fee collections and the creation of affordable housing units.
Requires landlords of residential properties give tenants notice of rent increase at least 90 days prior to increase and requires notice requirement for rent increases for month to month tenants who are over the age of 62 years, to 120 days.
