Rep. Terri Cortvriend

Establishes the Rhode Island education funding and accountability act, which would include a totally revised and revamped formula for funding all levels of public education in Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryHB 7676 allows advisory bodies (like commissions or committees without decision-making power) to participate in public meetings via videoconferencing under specific conditions. It permits remote participation for members on active military duty, those with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation (after a public waiver process), and University of Rhode Island board members, provided audio/video clarity is maintained. The bill requires that remote attendees be clearly audible/visible to in-person members and that all participation decisions be documented publicly. This update modernizes open meeting rules while maintaining transparency requirements for advisory group meetings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent commission to study climate change impacts and solutions in Rhode Island. The commission, consisting of 18 members including state agency representatives, environmental groups, business associations, and coastal community members, will examine specific issues like sea level rise, flooding, beach erosion, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. It will analyze adaptation strategies - such as beach nourishment, green infrastructure, and managed retreat - and hold public hearings to gather input from stakeholders. The commission will produce reports on economic, environmental, and social implications to guide state resilience planning, with no compensation for members.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Rhode Island to highlight the importance of emotional and psychological well-being. It encourages citizens, schools, and healthcare providers to increase awareness and provide age-appropriate mental health education. The resolution calls for efforts to reduce stigma and help residents live healthier lives by promoting mental health resources.

Creates the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivor Services Fund in Rhode Island to provide state funding for nonprofit organizations that deliver direct services to survivors of domestic violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that celebrates the 160th anniversary of Child & Family, a Rhode Island organization founded in 1866 to support children and families. It formally recognizes the group's long history of providing services such as early childhood education, foster care, and housing assistance, while also honoring its staff and volunteers. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the organization's leadership as a mark of appreciation.

Establishes a fund within the department of health to support the operation and expansion of women’s, maternal, and infant health and birthing services at Newport Hospital.

Prohibits the state from seeking reimbursement for expenditures made on behalf of disabled Rhode Islanders from an ABLE account after the death of the designated beneficiary.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $10 million in funding for Rhode Island's Community Health Worker Initiative, administered by the Department of Health. It directly affects community health workers and the programs they support across the state. The key provision is a one-time appropriation to expand or sustain these workforce programs, which connect residents with health resources in underserved areas. The bill was introduced to the House Finance Committee on February 27, 2026, and remains pending.

Maddy summaryHB 8390 amends Rhode Island's sales and use tax laws to exempt parking fees for municipally operated beach parking in the town of Middletown from taxation. The bill also updates the definition of taxable services to include various transportation options, pet care, and security services while clarifying tax responsibilities for hotel room resellers and bundled travel packages. By explicitly excluding Middletown's beach parking from the general definition of taxable parking services, the legislation directly affects local businesses and residents in that specific area. This change ensures that only privately operated or non-municipal parking facilities remain subject to the standard sales tax on parking fees.