Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the secretary of state to be utilized for redistricting.
Establishes a digital electronics right to repair, which would allow for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2026, to be repaired at an independent repair provider
Amends current law on controlled substances to permit psilocybin to be cultivated within a person's residence for personal use and contingent on the US FDA's program, mandate that RI department of health establish rules regulations.
Increases the number of state child care licensing inspectors to meet the national recommended average of one inspector for every fifty (50) to sixty (60) child care providers.
Maddy summaryHB 5396 sets specific caseload limits for Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) workers based on Council on Accreditation (COA) standards, directly affecting child welfare staff and the children/families they serve. It limits workers to 12 active investigations (max 8 new monthly), 14 families for in-home services, 12 children in out-of-home care, and 8 children in treatment foster care. The bill also requires DCYF to conduct annual pay reviews to align staff salaries with New England state averages for similar roles. These provisions aim to prevent staff overload and improve service quality by standardizing workloads and compensation.
Creates the Rhode Island clean heat standards act to implement a system of tradeable clean heat credits earned from the delivery of clean heat measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Authorizes and empower the department of transportation to plant pollinator friendly native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including state highways.
Maddy summaryHB 5321 establishes the Rhode Island Child Care for All Act, creating a new Office for Early Learning within the state government by June 2027 to manage the state's child care system. It directly affects families with young children (capping child care costs at 7% of income), child care providers, and early educators by providing direct funding to cover costs not met by family fees. Key provisions include requiring providers to improve educator wages to match K-12 standards, expanding access in underserved areas, and ensuring care for children with disabilities. The bill aims to make high-quality child care affordable and accessible statewide while consolidating oversight from multiple departments.
Adds school superintendents, central office officials, school principals, and all other school employees, to the definition of a “public official” for purposes of the criminal prohibition against making threats to public officials.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 5242) expresses the Rhode Island House of Representatives' condolences to Friedrich St. Florian’s family following his death. It specifically directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his wife, Livia St. Florian, and their children and grandchildren. The resolution commemorates St. Florian’s life as a renowned architect, educator at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and designer of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. It has no policy impact beyond formal expression of sympathy.
