Mandates health insurance coverage by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings in order to enable patients to get the critical care they need without delay.
Allows the office of health insurance commissioner (OHIC) as the state agency that has the authority to designate patient-centered medical home (PCMH) care to obtain maximal health outcomes.
Maddy summaryHB 7556 requires all campus police officers at Rhode Island state colleges and universities to wear ballistic body armor meeting the same standard as state police. This mandate directly affects campus law enforcement officers who patrol college properties and enforce campus rules. The bill amends existing law to specify that officers must be equipped with this protective gear while performing their duties, without changing their arrest powers or other responsibilities. The requirement would take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.
Maddy summaryHB 8012, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, allows cities and towns to use automated camera systems to detect specific traffic violations that endanger pedestrians. It authorizes fines of $50 for violations like failing to yield to pedestrians, stopping improperly at crosswalks, or ignoring stop signs, primarily in school zones, hospital areas, work zones, or high-pedestrian-risk locations. Registered vehicle owners - not drivers - are liable for fines, with municipalities required to send detailed violation notices including photos/videos and appeal options. For the first 30 days after implementation, cities must issue warnings instead of fines to educate drivers. The law does not create new traffic offenses but enables local enforcement of existing pedestrian safety rules through automated monitoring.
Maddy summaryHB 8118 amends the existing Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act by changing the provision for payment of legal fees. This change directly affects law enforcement officers who may seek legal representation in certain cases. The bill modifies the specific mechanism governing how legal fees are covered under the current law. The abstract does not specify the exact nature of the fee payment change.
Directs the state board of pharmacy to annually identify up to fifteen prescription drugs with increased costs and provides the list to the attorney general to obtain reasons for the cost increases.
Mandates arming campus police at public higher educational institutions and includes campus police in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for the purposes of the "Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights."
Prohibits insurance companies from paying a rate that is less than the approved Medicaid rate set by the executive office of health and human services.
Maddy summaryHB 7444 updates retirement calculations for police officers and firefighters in the state. It changes the formula used to determine retirement allowances, effective July 1, 2026, by adding a 2.5% multiplier on final salary for service years after June 30, 2026. Members retiring after this date will receive their accrued benefit as of June 2026 plus the new 2.5% calculation for future service. A special provision preserves the previous benefit formula for those retiring at age 57 with 30+ years of service.
Authorizes an annual two and one-half percent (2.5%) escalation for all active and retired police and firefighter's retirement pension allowance, compounded each year on January 1 following the year of retirement and continuing yearly, on that date.
