Rep. Raymond Hull

Maddy summaryHB 5494 adds consumer protections to Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies in the state. It prohibits policies from duplicating Medicare benefits and bans exclusions for preexisting conditions after six months of coverage, defining preexisting conditions as those requiring medical advice within six months before coverage begins. The bill guarantees issue rights for applicants under 65 with disabilities or end-stage renal disease (without medical underwriting) and requires annual guaranteed issue for all Medicare Part A/B enrollees during a one-month enrollment period. The commissioner must establish regulations for policy standards, premium rates, and loss ratios to align with federal requirements.

Provides additional exception to prohibition on usage of wireless communication device while driving and clarifies that use for purpose of navigation must be while the device is mounted or otherwise affixed to vehicle and not held in the motorist's hand.

Expands the definition of "employee," and clarifies that the board may defer a pending unfair labor practice charge to allow for the grievance and arbitration process to move forward pursuant to the charging parties collective bargaining agreement.

Repeals the exemption granted to pari-mutuel facilities and casinos from the smoke free workplace requirement and provides for a one time appropriate of $1,000,000 to inform patrons of the smoke free policy within the casino.

Maddy summaryHB 5796 amends Rhode Island's zoning law to require municipalities to include new residential options in their zoning ordinances. Specifically, it adds a requirement that zoning rules must permit "residential use options that are not limited to single-family detached structures" in areas with existing public water and sewer capacity within urban service boundaries. This change directly affects towns and cities as they update their zoning codes, enabling more housing types like duplexes or townhomes without requiring new infrastructure. The key mechanism is mandating this flexibility in zoning districts where water and sewer systems already exist, aiming to increase housing diversity. The bill does not override existing single-family zoning but expands permissible options in eligible areas.

Maddy summaryHB 5803 creates a standardized online permitting platform for all state and local building permits, zoning applications, and related services (including environmental and transportation permits) across Rhode Island. It requires local municipalities and state agencies to use this electronic system for processing applications, plan reviews, inspections, and fee collection by December 2013. The bill establishes new fees: 0.1% of construction costs for commercial permits and 0.2% for residential permits (capped at $100), with 50% of residential fees funding contractor training programs for minority businesses. These fees will fund the platform’s development and maintenance, replacing paper-based processes with a uniform statewide system.

Requires the board of regents to adopt support and intervention strategies consistent with Comprehensive Education Strategy and SALT in one district at a time.

Amends the composition of the building code standards committee and would make several technical amendments relative to the building code office and would establish a state building code office within the office of state fire marshal.

Maddy summaryHB 6242 updates Rhode Island's firearm exemption law to replace "Rhode Island state marshals capitol police" with "capitol police" in two sections of the General Laws. This change directly affects Capitol Police officers, ensuring they are explicitly listed as exempt from certain firearm restrictions while on duty. The bill makes a technical correction to the legal language defining which law enforcement personnel can carry concealed weapons without restriction. It does not alter the actual firearm rules or expand exemptions - it only updates the agency name in the statute. The bill became effective June 26, 2025, without requiring governor approval.

Adds a provision in the statute relating to one way highways, providing an increased penalty when a motorist travels the wrong way on an interstate highway or an entrance or exit ramp connected to an interstate highway.