Rep. Leo Felix

Maddy summaryHB 5113 amends the general powers and duties of school committees. This bill specifically mandates that school committees provide transportation services for any students who reside two (2) or more miles from their school. The legislation modifies an existing section of law to include this requirement, ensuring that students meeting the distance criteria are guaranteed access to school transportation.

Requires the department of education to develop and make available for use in all schools a mental health curriculum. School districts would be required to provide four (4) hours of mental health instruction to seventh grade students.

Directs the council on elementary and secondary education to develop recommendations for a high school curriculum to prepare students for successful postsecondary education and careers in computer science.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution expresses the deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences of the Rhode Island House of Representatives on the passing of the Honorable Dominick J. Ruggerio, who served as President of the Rhode Island Senate. It directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the resolution to his family and friends.

Requires submission of a domestic violence/sexual assault reporting form when the domestic violence response or investigation involves a verbal argument or dispute.

Maddy summaryHB 5523 requires all public bodies to offer translation and interpretation services for their open meetings. This bill directly affects individuals who need language assistance, including American Sign Language (ASL), to understand or participate in these public proceedings. Public bodies would need to develop a "translation assistance plan" to ensure meeting accessibility upon request. These plans must be implemented by September 1, 2026.

Amends the definition of public record to exempt from public disclosure the city or town of residence of the justices, judges, and magistrates of the unified judicial system.

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.

Permits the family court to award custody of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.

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.