Rep. Susan Donovan

Maddy summaryHB 5196 eliminates the sunset date for child care funding specifically for Rhode Island child care educators and staff. The bill extends permanent eligibility for this program, which previously would have expired on July 31, 2025. It directly affects licensed childcare workers who provide care in centers or family homes for at least 20 hours weekly, as well as staff offering early intervention services to infants and toddlers. The provision ensures these workers continue to receive child care assistance to support their own employment, removing a temporary expiration. This is a policy change that makes an existing benefit permanent for this specific workforce group.

Creates the Rhode Island Childcare Assistance Program that governs both family eligibility for the state’s childcare subsidy program and expands eligibility for the program to meet the federal eligibility benchmark.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $118,422 in state general revenue to fund the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) for its Dual Ombudsman program. The program directly assists approximately 24,500 dual-eligible Rhode Islanders (those enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid), helping them navigate complex healthcare enrollment, coverage transitions, and benefit claims. The funding ensures the program can continue operating at full capacity through fiscal year 2026, matching federal Medicaid funds and preventing a service gap as Rhode Island transitions away from its current Medicare-Medicaid managed care model. This maintains a critical resource that saved clients $343,189 in healthcare costs during FY2024 while supporting 4,456 annual client interactions.

Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance.

Maddy summaryHR 5536 appropriates $200,000 to fund the Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program in Rhode Island. This program directly benefits low-income SNAP recipients who shop at participating farmers markets by doubling the value of their SNAP benefits when spent on locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The funding supports Farm Fresh RI’s existing network of 27 sites across the state, helping families afford fresh produce while supporting local farms. The bill authorizes the state controller to pay the funds to Farm Fresh RI upon receipt of proper vouchers.

Adds to those persons exempt from payment of parking fees at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state those individuals determined by the executive office of HHS, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.

Establishes a restricted receipt account for the benefit of the Rhode Island public transit authority, funded by sales taxes collected from ride-share companies, which said sales taxes would be exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.

Maddy summaryHR 6020 is a joint resolution that proposes to appropriate $32,594,799 to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding is intended to address an anticipated operating deficit and allow RIPTA to continue its current service levels throughout the state. The appropriation also aims to support the hiring and training of more bus operators through increased wages and benefits, and help implement the State's Act on Climate goals. This bill directly affects RIPTA's operational capacity and the Rhode Islanders who depend on public transportation services.

Submits 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds to the voters for approval at the November, 2026, general election.

Directs the RITBA design a safety barrier or netting system on the several bridges within its authority. Any newly constructed bridges with a deck height of over one hundred feet (100 ft) would be required to have safety barriers of safety netting.