Rep. Mary Messier

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It expresses the Rhode Island House of Representatives' condolences upon the passing of Raymond H. Beretta, a former Pawtucket City Council member, teacher, principal, and community leader. The resolution formally extends "deepest sympathy and condolences" to his widow, Joan Beretta, and their family. It has no legislative effect beyond this expression of respect.

Authorizes the city of Pawtucket to issue not more than $20,000,000 general obligation bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness to finance the design, construction, reconstruction and repair of environmental infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Rhode Island-Ireland trade commission to promote economic ties and mutual interests between the two regions. The seven-member advisory group will be appointed by the governor, the Senate president, and the House speaker, with members serving unpaid terms of two to four years. The commission will research trade opportunities, facilitate business and academic exchanges, and submit annual written reports with recommendations to state leaders. It is authorized to raise its own funds through donations and grants to cover administrative expenses and will operate under state open meetings laws.

Adopts a counseling compact for the interstate practice of licensed professional counselors by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses governed and administrated by commission.

Maddy summaryHB 7013, known as Ryan's Law, amends existing regulations to give licensing boards the authority to fine healthcare professionals who overprescribe controlled substances and cause deaths. The bill establishes a tiered fine system where a first offense incurs no monetary penalty, while subsequent offenses can result in fines up to $1,000 for the second charge and $5,000 for each additional charge. Most notably, the law mandates a minimum three-year probationary period for any licensee found guilty of overprescribing that results in death, during which further related violations could lead to license suspension or revocation. Additionally, the act allows boards to assess administrative costs for disciplinary proceedings, capped at $5,000, and requires the Department of Health to create rules guiding how these sanctions are applied.

Maddy summaryHB 7015 clarifies which electrical services require a state contractor's license, directly affecting businesses and individuals who install, maintain, or service electrical systems. The bill updates legal definitions to explicitly include work on support systems for electrical equipment, fire alarms, and lightning protection while excluding low-voltage wiring for heating and cooling units. It mandates that licensed contractors carry their licenses on-site and display their license numbers on advertisements and contracts, with an exemption for single-family owner-occupied homes. Additionally, the legislation establishes specific license categories for specialized roles such as burner contractors, fire alarm contractors, and renewable energy professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the state's minimum wage law to include workers employed in domestic service or within private homes, who were previously excluded from these protections. By amending the legal definition of "employee," the legislation ensures that individuals working in these settings are now covered by the same wage standards as other workers. Once signed into law, the change directly affects private employers and domestic workers by bringing them under the jurisdiction of existing minimum wage regulations.

This resolution would amend the commission name, membership, appointment process, purpose, funding allowance designation, timeline for membership, and meeting schedules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution celebrates the 75th anniversary of NBC 10 WJAR, a television station serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts since 1949. The bill honors the station's history of innovation, including early helicopter broadcasts and meteorology, as well as its legacy of award-winning journalism and community service. It formally recognizes the station's contributions to the region and authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the station's news director.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public official" to include school superintendents, principals, central office staff, and all other school employees. By making this change, it ensures that making threats against these individuals is treated as a criminal offense under the same rules currently applied to elected officials, judges, and law enforcement officers. The law specifies that such threats must be made because of the person's role or public duties and carry penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of $5,000, or both. This update directly affects schools by extending criminal protections to their staff and clarifies that threats motivated by hostility toward their positions are illegal.