Rep. Susan Donovan

Maddy summaryHB 7291 establishes the Rhode Island Early Care and Education Workforce Data Act to create a statewide registry for staff working in licensed child care and early learning programs. This system is designed to collect and maintain data on educator demographics, qualifications, and annual turnover rates while also connecting workers with professional development opportunities. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to implement this registry by July 1, 2025, and to publish annual reports on workforce characteristics starting in January 2026. By codifying a previously funded initiative into state law, the measure ensures consistency in data collection to support policy decisions and strategic investments in the early education sector.

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.

Allows for the licensing of certified surgical first assistants to assist in surgeries through the department of health and a seven (7) member board of licensure.

Enables cities and towns to enact enabling legislation authorizing a partner program to assist students with an IEP for specially designed physical education classes.

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.

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.

Creates a protective legal shield for healthcare providers, precluding any civil/criminal action by other states/persons against healthcare providers involving persons seeking access to transgender and reproductive healthcare services provided in RI.

Allows victims of sexual assault to submit a medical forensic exam performed by a licensed health care provider in lieu of a police report in order to establish eligibility for funds under the State Crime Victim Compensation Program.

Allows the healthcare facility to conduct human-subject research on patients subject to 21 C.F.R. Pt 50 and/or 45 C.F.R. Pt 46 (relating to the informed consent of human subjects).

Amends various sections of law relating to elections, nomination papers and the process of obtaining signatures for nomination papers and would provide a notification procedure for the reporting of consistent patterns of forgery on nomination papers.