Rep. June Speakman

Maddy summaryHB 7780 amends state education laws to exclude private schools from the regulations governing educational services for children aged three to five. Currently, these rules apply to both public schools and approved private institutions, but this bill restricts their scope to public schools only. The change removes the requirement for private schools to comply with the specific provisions found in Chapter 16-48 regarding very young children. Once signed into law, private schools will no longer be subject to these particular state mandates for early childhood education.

Makes several amendments relative to manufactured homes, including adding a definition for manufactured home and a provision allowing for certain manufactured homes to be considered a single-family home if on a lot zone for such use.

Mandates, as of 1/1/27, all recovery housing facilities register with department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals adhere to the National Alliance for Recovery Residences process.

Provides amendments relative to the permitting authority of, and acceptable forms of financial security permissible for construction and/or improvement guarantees relating to the completion of required public improvements.

Allows the state to become a member of the physical therapist licensure compact adopted by twenty-five (25) states in order to facilitate the interstate practice of physical therapy with the goal of improving public access to physical therapy services.

Requires the department of administration to publish a report to the speaker of the house, president of the senate, and secretary of housing evaluating the cost to establish and maintain a statewide geographic information system.

Amends provisions relative to the application of zoning ordinances pertaining to wetland buffers to projects for development, redevelopment, construction or rehabilitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state laws to create consistent rules for zoning accessory dwelling units, which are secondary living spaces like detached garages or basement apartments built on the same lot as a main home. By standardizing definitions and requirements across all towns and cities, the legislation ensures that local zoning ordinances apply these housing types uniformly. The changes directly affect local governments, property owners, and developers by establishing clear guidelines for what constitutes an ADU and how it must be integrated into existing neighborhoods.

Maddy summaryHB 7350 establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact, a new agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across multiple states with a single license. This legislation directly affects social work professionals who wish to move between states or provide telehealth services to clients in different jurisdictions, as well as the state agencies that regulate these professions. The bill creates a commission to manage the compact and maintain a shared database of licensure and disciplinary records, while ensuring that each state retains the authority to protect public health and safety. By eliminating the need for separate licenses in every state, the measure aims to reduce administrative burdens, improve access to social work services, and better support military families.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Rhode Island's rules for mammogram reports to ensure they follow federal standards for notifying patients about dense breast tissue. It requires healthcare facilities to include specific language in mammography summaries that explains what dense tissue is, notes its potential impact on cancer detection, and suggests discussing additional screening options like ultrasound or MRI with a doctor. The change directly affects women who receive mammograms in the state and the medical facilities that perform these exams. By adopting these national reporting standards, the law aims to provide consistent information to patients regarding their breast density and associated health considerations.