Extends the sunset provision of the four (4) year pilot program to prevent drug overdoses through the establishment of harm reduction centers for two (2) years to March 1, 2028.
Maddy summaryHB 6166 prohibits sexual harassment in legislative settings, defining it as unwanted sexual advances, requests for favors, or other inappropriate sexual conduct. It applies directly to all individuals involved in legislative work, including lawmakers, all legislative staff (full-time, part-time, temporary), interns, volunteers, and lobbyists. The bill requires complaints to be filed with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission for investigation and mandates annual anti-harassment training for all covered individuals, with completion records made public. Failure to complete training could result in disciplinary actions like warnings, reprimands, or termination.
Maddy summaryHB 6348 exempts the real and tangible personal property (like buildings and physical assets) of the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center in Pawtucket from local property taxes. This targeted exemption directly affects only this specific nonprofit organization, adding it to Rhode Island’s existing list of tax-exempt entities. The bill amends the property taxation law by inserting the center as a new category under the "property exempt" section. It does not change general tax rules but creates a specific exception for this organization’s property.
Requires every school bus, including buses used exclusively for to transport students receiving special education, to be equipped with a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system and retractable stop sign.
Prohibits a person to sell, offer for sale, display for sale or otherwise distribute a farmed animal fur product within the state and provides graduated civil penalties for violations.
Maddy summaryHB 5992 amends Rhode Island's Works Program to allow lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to receive cash assistance benefits immediately, without the previous waiting period. The bill directly affects eligible immigrants who previously faced a delay in accessing state aid despite meeting other program requirements. This change removes a specific barrier by updating eligibility rules to grant immediate access to benefits for lawful permanent residents who qualify under the program's other criteria.
Requires any remaining funds in the enacted budget from the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program or the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship program to be reimbursed to the onward we learn for any scholarships paid on behalf of Rhode Island College students.
Maddy summaryHB 5738 proposes a tax credit for individual taxpayers in Rhode Island who convert their gas-powered vehicles to run on alternative fuels. This credit covers equipment and labor costs incurred for the conversion. Taxpayers can receive up to 50% of these costs, with a maximum credit of $2,000 for lighter vehicles and $3,000 for heavier vehicles. Eligible alternative fuels include natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, and certain other fuel types. The credit cannot exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability and takes effect for the 2026 tax year.
Maddy summaryHB 5759 proposes to amend Rhode Island's personal income tax law. This bill would allow resident individuals to deduct interest payments made on outstanding student loans from their federal adjusted gross income when calculating their state income tax. If enacted, this change would reduce the taxable income for Rhode Island residents who are paying interest on student loans. The provisions of this bill are set to become effective on January 1, 2025.
Raises the per diem rate by thirteen percent (13%) for Medicaid reimbursement for Tier C services provide by assisted living residence beginning January 1, 2026.
