Rep. Jenni Furtado

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6260 is a commemorative resolution congratulating Joseph Pratt on his retirement as the Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County. The resolution thanks Mr. Pratt for his leadership and numerous achievements, including growing the organization's staff and membership, improving its financial stability, achieving a 5-star rating, and expanding programs and facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 5234 is a joint resolution proposing to appropriate $500,000 from the state treasury to the United Way of Rhode Island. This funding is designated to provide operational support for the 2-1-1 system. The 2-1-1 service is a free and confidential hotline available to all Rhode Islanders 24/7, connecting them to assistance for needs like housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and utilities. It also serves as a communication resource during state crises and natural disasters.

Establishes VICTIM Fund grant program to support nonprofit organizations providing victim services in Rhode Island with the state allocating $30,000,000 per year to fund the program and staffing within the department of public safety.

Maddy summaryHB 5836 requires every high school in Rhode Island to offer a yearlong "ethnic studies" course starting with the 2026-27 school year. This course would study American history and the experiences of racialized communities, including specific histories such as Native American, Black, Asian American, and Latin American. It would become a social studies core credit and a high school graduation requirement for students graduating in 2030 and beyond. The bill also establishes a student-led ethnic studies leadership council to oversee curriculum development and implementation.

Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 2.89% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system.

Makes it a misdemeanor to harass another person by following them and using an electronic device to record their movements in any public or private place.

Allows municipalities to enact ordinances that would permit municipalities and water suppliers to enter properties to perform lead service line replacements and permit tenants to request and schedule private side lead service line replacements.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 5499 strengthens Rhode Island's Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) rules to improve access for eligible residents. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage or charging more based on health status (including preexisting conditions) for applicants under 65 with disabilities or end-stage renal disease, and guarantees issue rights for Plan A during annual enrollment. The bill also requires the state insurance commissioner to set standards for policy terms, premiums, and claims handling, while banning medical underwriting for certain applicants. These changes directly affect Rhode Island Medicare beneficiaries (ages 65+ or under 65 with qualifying disabilities) and insurers selling Medigap policies in the state. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5680 would allow workers to receive unemployment benefits if they are on strike or locked out due to a labor dispute, directly affecting employees involved in workplace conflicts. The bill modifies eligibility rules so workers aren’t automatically disqualified for benefits during strikes (if not responsible for the dispute) or lockouts (unless the employer offers a 3-day wage extension that’s refused or the lockout responds to a strike at another company in a multi-employer group). It also ensures benefits continue for more than a week after a dispute ends. The law would take effect immediately upon passage, changing current rules that typically deny benefits during labor disputes.