Rep. Jennifer Stewart

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.

Requires every individual or group health insurance plan on or after January 1, 2026, that provides benefits to reimburse child service providers for therapy services offered through EOHHS certified Kids Connect/Therapeutic Services.

Maddy summaryHB 5503 would require landlords to have "good cause" to evict tenants in most residential rental properties, directly affecting renters and landlords covered by the law. The bill specifies that landlords can only remove tenants for defined reasons like nonpayment of rent (with limits on unreasonable rent increases) or serious lease violations, and must go through court to enforce evictions. It excludes certain properties, such as owner-occupied buildings with fewer than five units or housing tied to employment. The bill is currently under review by a committee and has not yet become law.

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted an exemption by the secretary of housing and provides tenants with a civil action to recover damages, including an award of attorneys' fees/punitive damages, for violations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 4th annual "RI Craft Beer Week" (March 7-16, 2025) in Rhode Island. It recognizes the state’s craft beer industry’s economic impact, including $876 million in annual wages/benefits and 7,161 jobs supported by 50 breweries. The resolution formally celebrates the industry’s contributions to local communities and economic growth. The Secretary of State is directed to send a certified copy to the RI Brewers Guild. (Note: This is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with binding effects.)

Amends the current law on health insurance coverage for fertility diagnostic care, standard fertility preservation services, and fertility treatment and requires coverage for any medically necessary ovulation-enhancing drugs and medical services.

Requires health insurance policies to cover licensed certified lactation counselor services for childbearing families. It also prohibits requiring supervision or duplicate payments for services and mandates annual reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 5817 establishes the "2025 Rhode Island Broadband Transparency and Consumer Protection Act" by repealing state regulations on VoIP and internet protocol services while creating a statewide broadband mapping requirement. The bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to submit data on service speeds, technology types, and coverage to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which must maintain an updated public map showing broadband availability across all areas. This map will identify underserved regions and guide infrastructure planning, with state agencies obligated to provide supporting data. The law directly affects ISPs (through data reporting), state agencies (through data sharing), and Rhode Island residents (by targeting broadband expansion to unconnected communities).

Maddy summaryHB 5858 clarifies and expands the prescribing authority of certified midwives (CNMs/CMs) in maternal and child health care. It authorizes licensed midwives to prescribe specific medications directly related to their practice, including prenatal vitamins, emergency drugs like epinephrine for anaphylaxis, magnesium sulfate for seizures, and common treatments like antibiotics for infections. The bill directly affects certified midwives and their patients, particularly in settings involving prenatal care, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. It does not create new programs but formalizes existing midwifery scope under state health department oversight, requiring midwives to prescribe within their training and department guidelines. The bill would take effect upon passage.

Sets a clear and enforceable standard for reducing the presence of harmful metals in personal care products, prioritizing public health through testing, labeling, and the development of safer alternatives.