Raises the age of eligibility for mobile response and stabilization services from eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) and establishes a minimum rate for commercial health insurance reimbursement for such services.
Maddy summaryHB 7739, the Green Buildings Act, requires all new state or municipal public buildings over 10,000 square feet and major renovations of existing public buildings over 10,000 square feet to meet green building standards. It mandates compliance with LEED certification or equivalent standards (like Green Globes) for projects not in design before July 1, 2023, and ties this requirement to building permits. The law directly affects public schools receiving state funding, state agencies, and municipalities managing public facilities. A new 17-member Green Buildings Act Commission will oversee implementation and approve equivalent standards. This policy aims to reduce energy costs, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions in public infrastructure.
Creates the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy.
Directs the department of elementary and secondary education to provide a two-year pilot program that coordinates a national cultural exchange program for students of this state.
Amends several statutes relating to elections and the dates for primaries and dates within which to file nomination papers and object to nomination papers.
Provides that the prescription label for medication abortion prescription drugs may include the name of the dispensing healthcare practice instead of the name of the dispenser.
Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates March 2026 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Rhode Island to promote public education about cancer prevention and early detection. The resolution is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology to highlight the importance of regular screenings, which can significantly improve survival rates by identifying the disease when it is most treatable. The House of Representatives passed the measure to formally recognize the month and authorize the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the sponsoring organizations.
Maddy summaryHB 7954 requires large social media platforms to disclose how their algorithms prioritize content. It directly affects major platforms with significant user engagement, mandating transparency about algorithmic decision-making. The bill's key provision is a requirement for platforms to explain their content-ranking systems to users and regulators. This aims to increase clarity around how user feeds are curated, without specifying particular content rules or outcomes. The bill is currently under further study in committee.
Enables employees to no longer have to utilize sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave or other paid time off as a condition to their maternity leave.
Bars state and local police from joining federal immigration enforcement programs, limits holding people on detainer without judicial warrants, and requires tracking and reporting of requests.
