Rep. Cherie Cruz

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution would approve changes to Rhode Island's Medicaid program, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and state budget allocations. Key provisions include capping nursing facility and hospital rate increases at 2.3% (aligned with projected state tax revenue growth), eliminating annual home care rate increases, and removing hospital payment limits. It also establishes a new interprofessional consultation program and authorizes $396 million in hospital payments for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. These adjustments require state plan amendments to implement under federal Medicaid waiver rules. The resolution was scheduled for consideration but was withdrawn in March 2025.

Permits retired state employees to receive mileage and wages, if applicable, equal to that of full-time members of the board or commission; provided, however, in no event shall the amount be greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per year.

Maddy summaryHB 5983 requires all public elementary and secondary schools in Rhode Island to provide free breakfasts and lunches through federal programs like the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. It mandates that schools offer these meals to all students from families meeting federal or state income criteria for free or reduced-price meals, with the state covering the funding gap between federal reimbursement rates for free and reduced-price meals. This bill directly affects public school students from low-income households and school districts receiving state funding adjustments to support meal programs. The policy change takes effect upon passage, ensuring consistent access to free school meals for eligible students through expanded state and federal funding.

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

This joint resolution would propose to the voters a constitutional amendment which would allow a criminal defendant to argue jury nullification as a defense.

Establishes a commission to promulgate rules, regulations and make recommendations to the governor as to petitions for pardons under Article IX, Section 13 of the Constitution of Rhode Island.

Requires a municipality to disclose on their official website the specific issues, details and costs of any legal action of which the town or city is a named defendant within sixty (60) days after the close of their fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 5334 requires veterinarians to provide pet owners with a consultation when prescribing or dispensing medication for an animal patient. The consultation must cover the drug name, dosage instructions, storage, actions for missed doses, and potential severe side effects, as specified in the bill. Veterinarians may delegate this task to registered veterinary technicians and must document whether the consultation was provided or declined in the animal's medical record. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting veterinarians and pet owners in their medication communication process.

Establishes a single-payer health care insurance system, consolidating public and private payments into a more efficient Medicare-for-all style program, funded by progressive taxes, to reduce health care costs.

Maddy summaryHB 5363 prohibits civil forfeiture (seizing property without a criminal conviction) for violations of controlled substances laws until after a criminal conviction is secured. This means law enforcement cannot seize assets like vehicles or cash related to drug offenses without first obtaining a criminal conviction. The bill adds specific protections for innocent property owners, requiring proof of their involvement before forfeiture can occur. It directly affects individuals whose property is seized under drug laws but have not yet faced a criminal trial.