In effect repeals the provisions of the newly enacted law prohibiting smoking in pari mutual facilities with the exception for businesses operating as a pari mutual facility smoking lounge.
Maddy summaryHB 7221 authorizes the town of Barrington to increase maximum fines for dog ordinance violations. It allows fines up to $50 for a first offense (up from $25), $100 for a second offense (up from $50), and $150 for third or subsequent offenses (up from $75). The bill also includes similar provisions for other towns, but the abstract and primary focus is on Barrington. It does not change existing enforcement methods, such as mail-in citation payments.
Maddy summaryHB 7220 permits the town of Barrington to set an annual dog licensing fee of $7.00 per dog. This bill specifically amends the town's existing licensing fee authority under Chapter 4-13 (Dogs) to allow a $7 fee, directly affecting dog owners in Barrington who must pay this annual license. The bill does not change fees for other towns, which maintain their own existing fee structures. It is a procedural amendment awaiting final approval.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors family medicine physicians in Rhode Island for their contributions to healthcare and community well-being. It specifically recognizes the importance of these doctors in providing comprehensive care and addresses their upcoming Advocacy Day event on April 16, 2026. The measure directs the Secretary of State to send official copies of the resolution to the Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians as a formal gesture of appreciation.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally designates April as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month in Rhode Island. It encourages educators to include lessons on past and current genocides in their classrooms to promote understanding and prevent future atrocities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to the Commissioner of Education and the state's Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally celebrates the 56th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2026, in Rhode Island. It calls on state residents to learn about environmental challenges and participate in solutions, while directing the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to specific state environmental officials. The document serves as a commemorative acknowledgment rather than establishing new laws or regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 19-25, 2026, as National Infertility Awareness Week in Rhode Island to raise public understanding of infertility as a health condition. It directly affects individuals and families struggling with fertility issues, including those in the LGBTQI+ community, by aiming to reduce stigma and highlight the emotional and financial challenges they face. The resolution encourages participation in awareness activities and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the National Infertility Association.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act to prevent discrimination in voting by creating new legal standards that political subdivisions must follow. It prohibits election policies or practices that disproportionately affect protected classes based on race, color, language, disability, or other characteristics, without requiring proof of intentional discrimination to establish a violation. The law also addresses vote dilution by restricting election methods that impair the ability of protected groups to elect candidates of their choice, particularly when racially polarized voting is present. Local governments and election administrators would need to ensure their procedures do not create material disparities in voter access or participation opportunities.
Prohibits family court from detaining or committing any youth, 12 years or younger, to training school, for any offense other than murder, first degree sexual assault, or an attempt to commit such offenses there is no other reasonable placement.
Amends the current law on teacher’s creditable service so that a teacher who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year would be given credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of 135 school days.
