Extends the forbearance of utility terminations for customers with serious illness certifications and would amend various provisions related to the termination of utility services for persons who are disabled, seriously ill, or in arrears.
Requires a housing code enforcement officer to give a copy of any housing code violation notice to all tenants of the building affected by a housing code violation along with any hearing dates scheduled for the violation.
Provides that effective July 1, 2025, the profit margin of any electric distribution company gas distribution company, would not exceed four percent (4%), in any given calendar year.
Establishes an intervenor support program to provide compensation for an intervenor who makes a substantial contribution to a proceeding resulting in a decision favorable to the interest of utility consumers.
Maddy summaryHB 5940 requires owners of qualifying Rhode Island businesses to notify all employees in writing within seven days if they plan to sell the business (or at least 51% of it), giving employees a 30-day exclusive window to form a group and purchase it as an employee-owned business. It applies to private Rhode Island businesses with at least three workers that meet small business size standards and operate locally for over a year. Key provisions include mandating owner transparency (sharing financial records), ensuring existing labor agreements continue post-sale, and offering owners a capital gains tax exemption on sales under $1 million. The bill aims to facilitate worker ownership transitions while protecting democratic governance within the new employee-owned entity.
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 summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) that officially recognizes March 18, 2025, as "Transit Employee Appreciation Day" in Rhode Island. It specifically honors public transportation workers, including those employed by the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA), for their service to riders and communities. The resolution has no policy changes or funding impact - it simply declares a day of appreciation and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with RIPTA's leadership.
Maddy summaryHB 5916 amends Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to increase notice periods for rent increases and tenancy terminations, directly affecting month-to-month tenants and their landlords. The bill raises the required notice period for landlords or tenants to terminate month-to-month tenancies from 30 to 60 days, and extends it to 120 days for tenants aged 62 or older. It also specifies standardized notice forms for terminations, ensuring consistent communication about lease end dates. These changes aim to provide tenants with more time to plan for housing transitions while maintaining clear legal procedures.
Maddy summaryHB 6061 requires insurance plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment under the same terms as physical health conditions, eliminating annual or lifetime dollar limits. It mandates that financial requirements (like copays) and treatment limitations for these conditions cannot be stricter than those for medical care, and insurers must follow established clinical guidelines for coverage decisions. The bill directly affects insurance companies, health plans, and patients with mental health or substance use disorders by ensuring equitable access to care. It applies to all group and individual health insurance plans, excluding limited-benefit policies like accident-only coverage.
Permits a tenant, at the tenant’s expense, to implement energy conservation measures to any dwelling or dwelling unit such as removable weather-stripping around doors and windows.
