Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.
Amends the current law on health insurance coverage for fertility diagnostic care, standard fertility preservation services, and fertility treatment and requires coverage for any medically necessary ovulation-enhancing drugs and medical services.
Provides that stores offering food product discounts must provide the same discounts to in-store customers that are offered to customers using electronic digital coupons.
Creates legal cause of action for persons/insurers to recover losses resulting from climate disaster against petroleum product producers based upon strict liability for deceptive/false statements as to climate impacts.
Provides that cities or towns may, by ordinance, designate "special ways" throughout the city or town which would be subject to alternative regulations to preserve its cultural, historic or scenic character.
Allows local government recipients of grant funds from the Rhode Island infrastructure bank's OSCAR fund and resilient Rhode Island infrastructure fund to use monies for insurability planning.
Maddy summaryHB 7688 establishes the Rhode Island Child Care for All Act, creating a new Office for Early Learning by June 2028 to centralize and improve the state’s child care system. It directly affects families with young children (by reducing costs to under 7% of income), child care providers (through annual funding to cover costs beyond family fees), and early educators (by requiring wage supplements to match K-12 standards). Key provisions include consolidating child care administration from other agencies, funding providers to expand affordability and quality, and developing a statewide system offering free pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds alongside accessible care for children from birth to age 12. The bill aims to address current market failures by treating child care as a public good, similar to K-12 education.
Maddy summaryHB 7545 allows owners of dogs or cats (defined as "pets" kept in households) to seek financial compensation if their pet is intentionally or negligently injured or killed under specific conditions. It sets minimum damages at $500 for injury and $750 for death, with a maximum of $7,500 for noneconomic losses like emotional harm, but only if the incident occurred on the owner's property or during their supervision. The law excludes government entities or their employees acting in public welfare roles from liability under this provision. It does not cover veterinary costs or other economic damages, focusing solely on emotional loss.
Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's medical care and treatment shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a property tax deferral program for Rhode Island senior citizens (62+), disabled residents (as determined by the Social Security Administration), and disabled veterans (as determined by the Veterans Administration). Eligible homeowners can delay paying property taxes on their primary residence (including manufactured homes) until the property is sold, transferred, or upon the death of all owners, with 6% annual interest added to the deferred amount. The program excludes properties with reverse mortgages or less than 20% equity, and the state will fund it with $2 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027. Local tax collectors must report deferral claims by January 31 each year, and deferred taxes become a lien on the property.
