Rep. David Morales

Maddy summaryHB 5369 exempts the real and tangible personal property of the Providence Preservation Society from property taxes. This bill adds the society to the existing list of entities eligible for tax exemptions under Rhode Island law. The change directly affects the Providence Preservation Society by removing property tax obligations for its owned buildings and assets used in preservation work. The exemption applies to all real estate and tangible personal property held by the society, consistent with similar exemptions for nonprofit and historical organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 6378 allows tenants to have eviction court records sealed under specific conditions, directly affecting individuals involved in dismissed or resolved eviction cases. It permits sealing if a case was dismissed due to a defective complaint, lack of court jurisdiction, resolved by settlement with full payment, or dismissed for inactivity after five years. The bill also requires sealing records involving minors in eviction proceedings, and clarifies that such sealed records do not count toward a tenant's one-sealing-per-five-year limit. This policy change aims to provide relief for tenants with certain cleared eviction histories.

Maddy summaryHB 5441 reduces the waiting period for expunging criminal records in Rhode Island. It shortens the timeframe to three years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and five years for felonies or multiple misdemeanors (two to five offenses). The bill applies to eligible first-time offenders who have paid all court fees and fines, excluding those convicted of violent crimes or specific offenses under Chapter 29 of Title 12. Expungement remains unavailable for violent offenses, and records related to decriminalized offenses can still be expunged after conviction.

Maddy summaryHB 5432 prohibits health insurance providers from requiring preauthorization for in-network mental health or substance use disorder services. This directly affects patients seeking these treatments and insurers who must comply with the new rule. The key provision removes a common administrative barrier, allowing patients to access covered in-network care without prior insurer approval. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and aligns with existing parity requirements for mental health coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 5220 amends Rhode Island's 2015 Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act to require police departments statewide to collect detailed data during routine traffic stops and searches. This includes recording the officer's perception of the driver's race/ethnicity, stop reasons, search details, and outcomes (like citations or arrests), starting no later than January 2026. An independent agency chosen by the Department of Transportation must conduct an annual study analyzing this data for racial disparities and publish public reports quarterly and annually. The law aims to provide transparency on traffic stop practices and support efforts to address potential inequities in policing.

Restructures the Rhode Island Housing and Conservation Trust Fund, increases its membership to 15 members, 11 of whom are to be from the general public and reallocates the percentage of the funds for housing, conservation and other goals.

Authorizes the city of Central Falls, via home rule charter or city ordinance, to create a school board with all powers and duties thereto, to govern the Central Falls school district.

Requires quarterly testing of biosolids for PFAS contaminants by those seeking to apply biosolids to lands, with subsequent reports to the department of environmental management.

Maddy summaryHB 5882 shortens the training requirement for school bus drivers in Rhode Island who already hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). Specifically, it reduces the standard 10-hour school bus driver training course to a shorter, focused program covering only Rhode Island-specific rules and safety requirements. This change directly affects CDL holders seeking to drive school buses in Rhode Island, streamlining their path to certification without altering safety standards or background checks. The bill does not change other requirements, such as passing written/driver tests or providing proof of residency and employment.

Requires the installation of universal changing stations in all newly constructed, reconstructed, or remodeled public buildings and places of public accommodation.