Rep. Michelle McGaw

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill), expressing the Rhode Island House of Representatives' gratitude to the state's 25 community newspapers for their role in local journalism. It formally thanks these publications - such as the Warren Times-Gazette (est. 1826) and Newport Daily News (est. 1846) - for serving as "local watchdogs" covering government and community issues. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to each newspaper publisher. No new laws, funding, or policy changes are enacted.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 6372 is a formal request from the Rhode Island House of Representatives to the U.S. Coast Guard. It urges the Coast Guard to retain and maintain 38 buoys currently considered for removal from Rhode Island waters. The resolution aims to ensure the safety of recreational boaters and commercial traffic, emphasizing the importance of physical aids to navigation alongside modern electronic systems.

Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”

Provides for the operation and duties of natural organic reduction for the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Disposition facilities would be used for either cremation or natural organic reduction.

Prohibits a manufacturer from manufacturing, knowingly selling, offering for sale, distributing for sale or distributing for use in the state any firefighting personal protective equipment containing intentionally-added PFAS as of January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 6369 allows the state Health Care Advocate to request a superior court appoint a temporary manager (receiver) for hospitals facing specific crises. It directly affects hospitals mismanaging assets, in severe financial distress, or operating in ways that risk patient safety or care quality. The bill requires the court to approve such a receiver if it helps manage the hospital, protects patients, or ensures compliance with hospital conversion laws. This provision streamlines the process by eliminating the need to prove irreparable harm, making it easier for the Advocate to intervene swiftly.

Permits the town of Tiverton to require additional testing, to be performed by the developer, to ensure that there is no dewatering or loss of effective recharge to surrounding wells within close proximity of the new well.

Sets timelines for Tiverton's new construction, including one year for final approval, two (2) years for building permits, and temporary inclusion of units in the town's count until completion or three (3) years, whichever comes first.

Permits Tiverton to require two parking space for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing units upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking availability near these units.

Allows the town of Tiverton, with an aggregate of five hundred (500) or more units proposed in a comprehensive permit project, to enact a short-term emergency moratorium until the permit laws are amended.