Increases the maximum fill for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances found in schedule II, so that a sixty-day (60) supply may be dispensed at any one time.
Maddy summaryHB 6378 allows tenants to have eviction court records sealed under specific conditions, directly affecting individuals involved in dismissed or resolved eviction cases. It permits sealing if a case was dismissed due to a defective complaint, lack of court jurisdiction, resolved by settlement with full payment, or dismissed for inactivity after five years. The bill also requires sealing records involving minors in eviction proceedings, and clarifies that such sealed records do not count toward a tenant's one-sealing-per-five-year limit. This policy change aims to provide relief for tenants with certain cleared eviction histories.
Maddy summaryHB 5432 prohibits health insurance providers from requiring preauthorization for in-network mental health or substance use disorder services. This directly affects patients seeking these treatments and insurers who must comply with the new rule. The key provision removes a common administrative barrier, allowing patients to access covered in-network care without prior insurer approval. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and aligns with existing parity requirements for mental health coverage.
Maddy summaryHB 5309 increases the property tax exemption for qualifying veterans from $1,000 to $6,000 on municipal property taxes. It directly affects veterans who served in designated conflicts (including the Civil War, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf War) and were honorably discharged. The bill amends existing law to raise the base exemption amount, though some towns like Burrillville, Cranston, and Smithfield already maintain different local exemption levels. This change provides greater tax relief for veterans owning property in Rhode Island municipalities.
Maddy summaryHB 5220 amends Rhode Island's 2015 Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act to require police departments statewide to collect detailed data during routine traffic stops and searches. This includes recording the officer's perception of the driver's race/ethnicity, stop reasons, search details, and outcomes (like citations or arrests), starting no later than January 2026. An independent agency chosen by the Department of Transportation must conduct an annual study analyzing this data for racial disparities and publish public reports quarterly and annually. The law aims to provide transparency on traffic stop practices and support efforts to address potential inequities in policing.
Exempts certain urban and small farmers from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes. This act would also define urban and small farmers and urban farmland.
Authorizes the City of Central Falls to issue bonds and notes in an amount not exceeding $15,000,000 to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities in the city.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" on June 19, 2025, specifically for Rhode Island. It urges state citizens to observe the day and learn about its historical significance as a celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply encourages public recognition and education about Juneteenth's history, aligning with Rhode Island's existing state holiday status for the day (established in 2023).
Maddy summaryHB 5802 allows Rhode Island state agencies to develop housing on state-owned vacant, abandoned, or underutilized land without needing local zoning approval. It requires state agencies to hold a public hearing and demonstrate that housing projects align with state planning goals, address housing needs (including low- and moderate-income options), and minimize negative impacts on traffic, environment, or historic sites. The bill streamlines this process by exempting such state-led housing projects from standard municipal planning requirements, provided they follow the new hearing and justification rules. This directly affects state agencies planning housing developments on state-owned properties, aiming to accelerate housing construction where land is available.
Maddy summaryHB 6092 creates an online portal for voters to electronically sign nomination papers for candidates running for state and local offices. This replaces the traditional paper-based signature process, allowing voters to submit electronic signatures that count toward the required number of signatures for each office (e.g., 500 signatures for governor, 50 for state representative). The bill directly affects candidates seeking party or independent nominations and voters who must sign their nomination papers. The online portal will be available starting January 1, 2025, and electronic signatures will be treated identically to handwritten ones under current signature requirements.
