Rep. Jennifer Stewart

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution formally recognizes March 8, 2025, as "International Women's Day" in Rhode Island. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the day. The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the resolution on March 11, 2025, directing the Secretary of State to notify the Governor. It does not impact any specific groups or create new laws.

Provides that an agreement resolving a patent infringement claim, in connection with the sale of a pharmaceutical product, is to be presumed to have anticompetitive effects if a nonreference drug filer receives anything of value.

Maddy summaryHB 5931 repeals a law that allowed motor vehicle license suspension for failure to pay traffic fines. This bill directly affects drivers who cannot pay court-imposed fines for traffic violations. The key provision removes the requirement that license suspensions remain in effect until all fines are paid or payment arrangements are made with the court. The repeal eliminates this enforcement mechanism for unpaid traffic fines.

Caps the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for a covered prescription inhaler, prescription device, or prescription equipment to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per thirty (30) day supply.

Maddy summaryHB 5433 amends Rhode Island's Health Care Reform Act to strengthen oversight of health insurance. It requires the health insurance commissioner to hold quarterly public meetings on insurer rates and services, establish an advisory council with consumer and business representatives to address small business insurance affordability, and analyze the impact of merging individual and small-employer insurance markets. The advisory council must produce annual reports on topics like provider fee transparency, claim processes, and data on quality and costs to help consumers make informed choices. These provisions directly affect health insurers, small businesses, and healthcare providers by increasing accountability and transparency in insurance regulation.

Directs the state board of pharmacy to annually identify up to fifteen prescription drugs with increased costs and provide the list to the attorney general to obtain reasons for the cost increases.

Provides certain controls over prescription drug costs by imposing transparency, oversight and accountability requirements on commercial insurers and their pharmacy benefit managers.

Requires the secretary of the executive office of health and human services to monitor and mandate changes to the price-setting practices of pharmacy benefit managers to prohibit the spread pricing payment model.

Eliminate all exceptions to the provision that all employees are to be paid weekly except for employees of the state and its political subdivisions, municipal governments, and non-profit organizations with less than twenty-five (25) employees.

Maddy summaryHB 5507 gradually increases the minimum cash wage for employees in tipped occupations (like restaurants and hotels) who rely on gratuities. Starting from $3.89 per hour in 2017, it raises this rate by $0.50 annually until 2026, then increases by $2.00 each year through 2030 to reach $14.95 per hour. By January 1, 2031, these workers will receive the same minimum wage as non-tipped employees, eliminating the tip credit. The bill directly affects tipped workers in qualifying industries and requires employers to pay at least the stated cash wage without deducting gratuities below the specified thresholds.