Allows citizens of a city or town who are at least sixteen (16) years of age to register to vote and to vote in school committee elections in municipalities where school committees are elected entities.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) that officially recognizes March 18, 2025, as "Transit Employee Appreciation Day" in Rhode Island. It specifically honors public transportation workers, including those employed by the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA), for their service to riders and communities. The resolution has no policy changes or funding impact - it simply declares a day of appreciation and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with RIPTA's leadership.
Allows for a tenant to withhold payment of rent, and deposit the rent accruing into an escrow bearing account, upon the issuance of a second notice of violation by an enforcing officer for any state or local minimum housing code enforcement agency.
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.
Maddy summaryHB 5817 establishes the "2025 Rhode Island Broadband Transparency and Consumer Protection Act" by repealing state regulations on VoIP and internet protocol services while creating a statewide broadband mapping requirement. The bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to submit data on service speeds, technology types, and coverage to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which must maintain an updated public map showing broadband availability across all areas. This map will identify underserved regions and guide infrastructure planning, with state agencies obligated to provide supporting data. The law directly affects ISPs (through data reporting), state agencies (through data sharing), and Rhode Island residents (by targeting broadband expansion to unconnected communities).
Sets a clear and enforceable standard for reducing the presence of harmful metals in personal care products, prioritizing public health through testing, labeling, and the development of safer alternatives.
Provides that an agreement resolving a patent infringement claim, in connection with the sale of a pharmaceutical product, is to be presumed to have anticompetitive effects if a nonreference drug filer receives anything of value.
Maddy summaryHB 5912 modifies evidence rules in civil injury and wrongful death cases involving medical care. It states that the amount billed by a licensed health care provider is presumed to be the fair and reasonable charge, and payments received by that provider from insurers, government programs, or workers' compensation cannot be used as evidence to challenge that billed amount. This directly affects medical providers, insurers, and parties in malpractice or injury lawsuits by preventing defendants from using lower insurance payments to dispute the full billed cost. The bill takes effect upon passage and aims to simplify evidence standards for medical billing in court.
Maddy summaryHB 5952 creates a Home Ownership Assistance Account within Rhode Island's Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation to expand homeownership opportunities for low-income residents. The account, funded by 25% of monies from a specific state revenue source, directly assists households at or below the area median income, with priority for seniors, veterans, people of color, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and agricultural workers. Funds will provide down payment grants, support homeownership programs, and offer technical assistance to organizations focused on increasing homeownership - especially for people of color - while requiring long-term affordability measures like shared equity. The Corporation must distribute funds statewide but prioritize areas with the greatest need, aiming to reverse declining homeownership rates among marginalized groups.
Requires the secretary of the executive office of health and human services to monitor and mandate changes to the price-setting practices of pharmacy benefit managers to prohibit the spread pricing payment model.
