Provides that a defendant's third and subsequent violation of domestic violence offenses, including both prior felony and misdemeanor convictions, would be punishable as a felony.
Exempts law enforcement records from public disclosure if releasing them could reveal the identity of a human trafficking victim or someone eligible for an affirmative defense under certain prostitution-related laws.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 5530 (HB 5530) allows state employees to negotiate longevity payments as part of their collective bargaining agreements, effective July 1, 2025. This bill amends existing law that had previously ceased further longevity increases for most state employees since 2011. The change permits state employee unions to include these payments in future contract negotiations.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6240 expands the provisions for limited registrations for dentists and establishes new limited registrations for dental hygienists. For dentists, it broadens the conditions under which a limited registration is granted, allowing practice in affiliated clinics and introducing a "special registration" after ten years of limited practice. This special registration allows dentists to practice in private offices accepting RIte Care without direct supervision, provided they split their time between an institution and the private practice. Additionally, the bill creates limited registration pathways for dental hygienists who are graduates of accredited programs, advanced dental students, or graduates of accredited dental colleges.
Maddy summaryHB 5599 establishes a Corrections Education and Vocational Planning Group (CEVPG) to develop career and educational programming within Rhode Island's state prison system. This group will consider opportunities for incarcerated individuals, including higher education pathways. The CEVPG will assess labor market needs, facility requirements, and potential funding sources to create sustainable partnerships with higher education institutions. It will also work to identify and address barriers to academic program continuity and campus access upon release, with annual reports on its progress.
Maddy summaryHB 6058 updates the "Dual Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act" by replacing the term "postsecondary institution" with "public higher education institution" throughout the law. This clarifies that the dual enrollment program - allowing high school students to take college courses at the same time - applies directly to all Rhode Island public colleges and universities, including community colleges. The bill does not change existing policies or funding rules but ensures the law explicitly covers all public higher education institutions. It affects high school students seeking college credit and public colleges/universities offering dual enrollment courses.
Maddy summaryHB 6034 blocks new applications for "network charter schools" (multiple schools operated under a single management structure) and prevents expansions of existing charter schools that would create such networks. The bill does not affect individual charter schools or the existing 35-school cap, but specifically halts the creation of new multi-school networks. It directly impacts organizations seeking to launch or expand networked charter systems, including potential applicants and existing charter operators considering growth. The law takes effect immediately upon passage and preserves existing charters while restricting new network formations.
Maddy summaryRhode Island's House Resolution HR 5226 condemns President Trump's January 2025 executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. The resolution, introduced by the Rhode Island House, formally opposes this policy change, which would affect children of undocumented immigrants by denying them automatic U.S. citizenship. It does not create new law but expresses legislative disapproval, citing the 14th Amendment's long-standing protection of birthright citizenship and noting the policy's potential impact on over 1.3 million U.S.-born adults living with undocumented parents. The resolution directs the state secretary to send a certified copy to President Trump and Rhode Island's congressional representatives.
Prohibits state or municipality from contracts to detain individuals for civil immigration violations, and if such contract exists, it must end by July 1, 2026 and prohibits using public resources to detain those individuals.
Caps the minimum lot size that may be required to not exceed three (3) new separate parameters relating to the availability of public water, sewer, and transit.
