Allows citizens of a city or town who are at least sixteen (16) years of age to register to vote and to vote in school committee elections in municipalities where school committees are elected entities.
Maddy summaryHB 7417 requires every public school in Rhode Island (including charter and vocational schools) to have a dedicated library space and a certified school librarian. It mandates specific library resources like book collections, technology, and daily student access, with staffing requirements phased in: full-time librarians for schools of 250+ students immediately, high schools by 2026-27, and all K-12 schools by 2030-31. The bill directs the education commissioner to enforce these standards, ensuring consistent library access and qualified staff. This legislation applies to all public schools and is pending passage.
Creates an 11-member commission to study and make recommendations on a statewide teacher healthcare plan, and would report quarterly as of September 1, 2026, and submit a final report by September 1, 2027, and expires on December 31, 2027.
Expands the benefit definitions to include a grandchild and care recipient and increases benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and 12 weeks for 2028 and provides a TDI/TCI opt-in option for self-employed workers.
Provides the state would cover dialysis for the treatment of end stage renal disease ("ESRD") and kidney transplants for persons who do not qualify for full Medicaid due to their immigration status.
Creates an 11-member task force to track and oversee immigration enforcement and support actions in Rhode Island, and who would report back to the General Assembly House no later than January 5, 2027, and whose life would expire on March 5, 2027.
Bars state and local police from joining federal immigration enforcement programs, limits holding people on detainer without judicial warrants, and requires tracking and reporting of requests.
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 7131 expresses the Rhode Island House of Representatives' deepest condolences for the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, poet, and community member who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The resolution extends sympathies to her family and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to them. As a memorial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges her life and loss.
Bars police from wearing masks or disguises when interacting with the public, require visible ID, allow limited safety and undercover exceptions, and impose criminal penalties and civil liability for violations.
Maddy summaryHB 7352, the Rhode Island Civil Rights Enforcement Act, creates a legal remedy for individuals whose constitutional rights are violated by state or local government entities (including cities, counties, or state agencies). It allows residents or individuals within Rhode Island to sue the government directly for compensation when rights are deprived under color of law, without needing to first sue individual employees. Key provisions include a $500,000 cap on compensatory damages for most claims (adjustable annually for inflation), no punitive damages against the state, and the attorney general’s authority to enforce the law. The law applies immediately upon passage, with claims needing to be filed within three years of the violation.
