Rep. Katie Kazarian

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 2026 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Rhode Island to highlight the importance of supporting individuals with brain injuries and their families. The resolution acknowledges the significant impact of brain injuries, which affect over 12,000 Rhode Island residents annually and are a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults. It encourages state residents to participate in awareness activities and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the issue.

Provides that for the period up until July 1, 2027, an applicant for a teaching certificate in Rhode Island would not be required to complete a standardized teacher's examination as a prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate.

Maddy summaryHB 7781 changes the name of the second Monday in August from "Victory Day" to "Peace and Remembrance Day" in Rhode Island's state holiday schedule. This directly affects state employees and official state communications, as the holiday is listed in the General Laws governing state holiday observances. The bill amends the statutory holiday list to replace the existing name and repeals a prior provision prohibiting the use of any other name for this day. The change takes effect upon passage without altering the holiday's date or observance requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 7485 increases reimbursement rates for ambulance services under both individual and group health insurance plans. It creates a Mobile Integrated Healthcare Community Paramedicine Program administered by the Department of Health, allowing approved ambulance services to provide community-based healthcare. The bill requires all out-of-network ambulance services participating in the program to follow state and federal rules prohibiting surprise medical billing. This directly affects ambulance service agencies, health insurers, and patients receiving emergency transportation services in Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryHB 7739, the Green Buildings Act, requires all new state or municipal public buildings over 10,000 square feet and major renovations of existing public buildings over 10,000 square feet to meet green building standards. It mandates compliance with LEED certification or equivalent standards (like Green Globes) for projects not in design before July 1, 2023, and ties this requirement to building permits. The law directly affects public schools receiving state funding, state agencies, and municipalities managing public facilities. A new 17-member Green Buildings Act Commission will oversee implementation and approve equivalent standards. This policy aims to reduce energy costs, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions in public infrastructure.

Requires that student mentors in public schools be certified support educators, ensuring mentors have professional training, established student relationships, and access to skills and information needed to support student success.

Provides that evidence of life or work expectancy be based on statistical data using blended statistics and provides a chart with "completed age" and "expectation" which shall be used by courts as evidence and not be based on race, ethnicity or sex.

Maddy summaryHB 7440 allows workers who are on strike or locked out during a labor dispute to receive unemployment benefits, which they were previously denied. It directly affects employees involved in strikes or employer lockouts, removing the prior bar to benefits unless specific exceptions apply. Key provisions state workers qualify if the lockout aims to resist collective bargaining or gain concessions, but not if it responds to a strike at another company in a multi-employer group or if the employer offered a 3-day extension of current terms that was refused. The bill takes effect upon passage and clarifies that benefits continue if unemployment lasts more than a week after the dispute ends.

Prohibits state and municipal officials or body from entering into and renewing any agreements that will be used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations.

Mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.