Rep. Cherie Cruz

Eliminates prior authorization or step therapy requirement for prescriptions for any HIV prevention drug/prohibits the requirement of any copayment or the meeting of any deductible to obtain the prescription covered by the contract, plan, or policy.

This resolution would create an 11 member commission to study and provide recommendations to update and clarify the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act", and would report back to the House by May 5, 2025, and would expire on June 5, 2025.

Requires prescription drug manufacturers to file a detailed, updated list of each pharmaceutical sales representative engaged by the manufacturer and to pay an annual fee for each name on list.

Maddy summaryHB 7053 expands the ability of individuals with felony convictions to have certain misdemeanor offenses removed from their criminal records. Under this bill, a person convicted of one felony and one or more misdemeanors can apply to expunge the misdemeanor charges, provided they have not committed a crime of violence and have paid all related court fees. Additionally, the legislation allows for the expungement of up to six misdemeanor convictions for those who have not been convicted of a felony. Eligibility requires applicants to wait a specific number of years after completing their sentences, demonstrate good moral character, and show no new arrests or convictions during that waiting period. The court retains discretion to grant or deny the request based on whether the individual has been rehabilitated and if expungement serves the public interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for Rhode Island's Higher Education Opportunity Incentive Grant, which provides financial aid to youth who have been in state foster care. The primary changes expand eligibility to include young people who entered care as young as 14 and extend the age limit for receiving funds until their 23rd birthday, provided they remain full-time students. To qualify, applicants must have spent at least six months in foster care after turning 14 and must graduate from high school or receive an equivalent diploma. The program covers tuition, fees, room, and board at the state's three public colleges and universities, with specific provisions also created for workforce development training.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Representative Brianna Henries for her service to the people of East Providence, Pawtucket, and the State of Rhode Island. It recognizes her legislative work on issues such as housing, minimum wage, and affordable healthcare, as well as her personal commitment to helping those facing homelessness. The House of Representatives formally acknowledges her achievements and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to her.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act to require state and municipal police departments in Rhode Island to collect detailed data on every routine traffic stop and vehicle search. Officers must record specific information for each stop, including the driver's perceived race and ethnicity, the reason for the stop, whether a search occurred, and the outcome such as citations or arrests. An outside agency chosen by the Department of Transportation will conduct an annual study of this data to analyze potential racial disparities in enforcement, with the first report due within 18 months of data collection beginning. The bill also mandates that quarterly summary reports be made public while keeping individual officer identities confidential, and it allows civil rights organizations to sue police departments that fail to comply with these data collection requirements.

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race by expanding the definition of race to include traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protected hairstyles.

Under certain circumstances, provides immunity from arrest and prosecution for prostitution, procurement of sexual conduct for a fee, loitering for prostitution and soliciting from motor vehicles for indecent purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution from Rhode Island that formally celebrates the 214th anniversary of Colombian Independence Day on July 20, 2024. It recognizes the historical events leading to Colombia's freedom from Spanish rule and highlights the shared values of liberty between the United States and Colombia. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the document to the Colombian American Cultural Society and Colombia en Rhode Island to share the official recognition.