Rep. Alex Finkelman

Maddy summaryHB 5681 allows Rhode Island's personnel administrator to waive competitive testing for temporary or emergency state jobs, directly affecting hiring for these roles. It requires the state to provide exam study materials to all test takers and make competitive exams available in Spanish and Portuguese. The bill also mandates streamlining the processing of personnel action requests to reduce delays. These changes apply to state government hiring under the merit system and take effect upon passage.

Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.

Limits the mandatory rental registry to properties constructed prior to 1978, and further push out the effective date of registration to September 1, 2025, with the penalty clause becoming effective as of October 1, 2025.

Allows applicants for employment in programs operated by the department involving routine contact with patients, residents, or clients without the presence of other employees to apply to a qualified vendor for a national criminal records check.

Requires landlords of residential properties built before 1978 to register lead hazard mitigation information with the department of health and the information would be private and only accessible by specific entities.

Substitutes "housing resources commission" with "department of health" for lead hazard mitigation purposes. It also makes it easier for a property owner to release funds put into an escrow account, if needed to make required repairs or improvements.

Repeals the legislative findings in this section and requires elementary, middle and high schools to provide and maintain on-site functional automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

Maddy summaryHB 5616 prohibits public health advertisements and regulations from stating or implying that there is a safe way to use illegal drugs. The bill directly affects state health departments and public health campaigns by requiring all official health communications to avoid this specific claim. It adds a new policy section to the Department of Health chapter, making it state policy that such statements cannot appear in any public health materials. The bill was introduced in February 2025 and is currently pending further study after committee review.

Provides that stores offering food product discounts must provide the same discounts to in store customers that are offered to customers using electronic digital coupons.

Maddy summaryHB 5926 creates a legal cause of action allowing pet owners to sue for intentional or negligent injury or death of their domestic dog or cat (defined as a pet kept in or near the household). It sets minimum compensation of $500 for serious injury and $750 for death, with a maximum cap of $7,500 for noneconomic damages like loss of companionship. The law applies only when the incident occurs on the owner's property or under their direct supervision. It excludes government entities acting in public health or animal welfare roles and does not cover veterinary costs or other claims.