Rep. Matthew Dawson

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Rhode Island's Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights by renaming it the Law Enforcement Officers' Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act. It directly affects permanently employed police officers, state troopers, and other sworn law enforcement personnel, excluding department heads. The law establishes a five-member hearing committee to review complaints against officers and mandates that both the agency and the officer share the cost of legal counsel for these hearings. Additionally, the bill requires that investigations be conducted at reasonable hours, allows officers to have an attorney present during interrogations, and prohibits threatening officers with disciplinary action during the inquiry process.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for handling unclaimed money held in court registries by reducing the waiting period before funds are transferred from five years to two years. It requires court clerks to annually report deposits that have gone unclaimed for at least two years, providing details on the case, the payer, and the potential recipient. If no one claims the money within this two-year window, the funds and any accumulated interest will be moved to the state's general fund or escheated to the state treasurer. The legislation directly affects various courts, including the supreme, superior, family, and district courts, by streamlining how they manage and dispose of dormant financial assets.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies to include mandatory uninsured motorist coverage for drivers in the state, ensuring that policyholders can claim damages from at-fault drivers who lack insurance or have insufficient coverage. The law mandates that this bodily injury protection matches the driver's existing liability limits, though owners may opt out for property damage coverage or choose lower limits after signing a specific warning notice. Effective January 1, 2025, the changes apply to all new and renewed auto policies, including provisions for handling claims against insolvent carriers and allowing recovery of multiple premiums paid for the same coverage. Additionally, the bill clarifies that "uninsured motorist" includes underinsured drivers and establishes rules for deductibles and subrogation rights when insurers collect money from third parties.

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.

Repeals the "Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act." Amends title 5 "Businesses and Professions" to include a new chapter 93, an amended "Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act."

Creates a taskforce to provide recommendations, advice and guidance to help expedite and provide technical assistance with regard to the development of solar energy systems on property owned by the state.

Establishes building safety code standards for multi-dwelling buildings and requires the development of recommendations for resolving any conflicts between fire safety codes and the building codes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows facilities and programs licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health to use qualified vendors to conduct criminal background checks for job applicants. The requirement applies to positions involving routine contact with patients, residents, or clients without other employees present, and the checks must include fingerprinting to verify state and federal criminal records. Organizations with 250 or more employees are specifically required to submit these checks through the Office of the Attorney General, while smaller entities may use local police departments or vendors. If disqualifying information is found, authorities will notify both the employer and the applicant, though the employer will only be told that a disqualifying item exists without knowing its specific nature. Employers must keep proof of these checks on file, and failure to do so could result in the revocation of their facility's license.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates June 2024 as Pride Month in Rhode Island to honor the LGBTQIA+ community. It recognizes the state's history of protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity while celebrating the culture and contributions of LGBTQIA+ residents. The document directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to Rhode Island Pride, acknowledging the organization's role in local events.

Amends certain election statutes to require ballot questions be written in plain language reasonably calculated to be understood by persons with an eighth-grade reading level.