Requires municipalities to report to the RI department of housing regarding single-family low- or moderate-income housing available to rent/own. Information to be made available to the public on the department's website and emailed to interested parties.
Updates the Homeless Bill of Rights to add rules governing the interaction with encampments and include the right to access clean and sanitary conditions.
Expands council on elementary and secondary education and board of education and makes teacher of year and student advisory chair voting members on each.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (HR 6152), not a substantive bill. It formally congratulates the University of Rhode Island's Talent Development Program for reaching 5,000 graduates by 2025. The resolution recognizes the program's 58-year history of supporting disadvantaged Rhode Island students - particularly students of color - with admission, academic support, and retention (83.6% first-year retention rate). It specifically acknowledges key program staff, including Director Gerald R. Williams and Senior Academic Advisor Edward "Ted" Shear, but does not create new policies, funding, or direct legal obligations.
Requires the court to set reasonable bail for all those individuals who appear before it as probation violators and establish a presumption of personal recognizance unless the new alleged offense is a crime of violence as defined in the act.
Maddy summaryHB 5178 allows individuals with multiple non-violent felony convictions to request the removal of their criminal records after completing their sentences and waiting 10 years. It directly affects people who have served their sentences for two or more non-violent felonies, provided they have no new criminal convictions or outstanding court fees in the 10-year period and were not convicted of violent crimes. The bill amends existing law to permit expungement motions for multiple felony convictions after 10 years (previously limited to single offenses), with strict eligibility requirements including good moral character and no pending charges. This policy change aims to provide a clear pathway for record clearance while maintaining public safety safeguards.
Maddy summaryHB 5347 amends Rhode Island law to extend all extended benefits provided by the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to children placed in guardianship, aligning them with the benefits already available to foster children. This change ensures children under legal guardianship receive the same post-care support services as those in foster care. The bill directly affects children in guardianship arrangements and their guardians across Rhode Island. It modifies Section 42-72-5 of the General Laws to include guardianship under DCYF's benefit provisions.
Limits the use by insurers of step therapy, a protocol that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer, by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions.
Prohibits the courts from setting cash or surety bail on any misdemeanor offense but permits the court to set reasonable non-monetary conditions of bail to assure the defendant's presence in court as required and to protect the community.
Maddy summaryHB 5502 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offense categories in the state's laws. It specifies that a felony involves imprisonment over one year or a fine over $1,000, a misdemeanor involves 6 months to 1 year imprisonment or a fine up to $1,000, a petty misdemeanor involves up to 6 months imprisonment or a fine up to $500, and a violation is punishable only by a fine under $500. The bill also explicitly states that any reference to "one year" in sentencing laws means 364 days, not 365. This definition change directly affects courts, prosecutors, and defendants when classifying criminal charges and determining penalties. The bill is currently pending further study after a committee hearing.
