Provides that for the period up until July 1, 2027, an applicant for a teaching certificate in Rhode Island would not be required to complete a standardized teacher's examination as a prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate.
Maddy summaryHB 5879 adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, including its "contemporary examples," for use by Rhode Island state agencies. It requires state agencies to apply this definition when evaluating whether discriminatory acts - such as those based on religion or country of origin - constitute antisemitic discrimination under existing fair employment laws. The bill also mandates that state personnel use this definition in anti-bias training and clarifies that it does not override First Amendment rights or conflict with federal or state discrimination laws. This definition will directly guide state agencies in reviewing and investigating discrimination claims involving antisemitism.
Requires that all agencies' final rules, promulgated pursuant to the administrative procedures act, be approved by general assembly action, but in no case later than December 31 of the year it is promulgated before it can become effective.
Establishes an agricultural restricted receipt account within the department of environmental management. An advisory committee would be established to determine suggested uses of the funds in said account.
Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. Rhode Island's House of Representatives has formally designated February 23-29, 2025 (not March 1st as noted in the title) as "Peace Corps Week" within the state. The resolution commends the Peace Corps and its volunteers for their global service and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Peace Corps Director. It has no legal effect or direct impact on residents, policy, or funding - it solely serves as a symbolic recognition.
Defines "anti-Semitism" for the state human affairs commission to use while investigating and working to resolve complaints of discrimination and for the commission against prejudice and bias to use in defining hate crimes.
Maddy summaryHB 5073 establishes a maximum 8-hour workday for state-employed peace officers (including correctional officers) in Rhode Island, with a 10-hour cap for correctional officer stewards. The bill prohibits requiring overtime beyond these limits except during unforeseeable emergencies like riots, and mandates double-time-and-a-half pay if the state violates these rules. It specifically affects correctional staff working for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, ensuring they cannot be forced into excessive overtime without exception. The law also requires employers to make "reasonable efforts" to find volunteers before mandating overtime during emergencies. Violations would trigger immediate payment of the doubled overtime rate to affected employees.
Maddy summaryHB 5179 changes how interest is calculated in civil court judgments involving monetary damages. Instead of a fixed 12% rate, it sets interest at the coupon yield equivalent of the most recent 52-week U.S. Treasury bill auction before the lawsuit was filed. This applies to most civil cases, but excludes medical malpractice claims (like personal injury or wrongful death against doctors or hospitals), which retain their own interest calculation rules. The bill takes effect upon passage and directly affects plaintiffs, defendants, and courts handling civil monetary judgments.
Maddy summaryHB 5221, the Third-Party Litigation Financing Consumer Protection Act, regulates companies that fund lawsuits in exchange for a share of settlements in Rhode Island. It directly affects RI residents suing in state courts, their lawyers, and medical providers who may be involved in cases involving litigation financing. Key provisions require financiers to register with the state, post a $50,000 bond, and prohibit practices like paying referral fees to lawyers or medical providers, reporting consumers to credit bureaus, or influencing legal decisions. The bill also mandates clear written contracts with specific disclosures to ensure transparency for consumers.
