Submits the state's 2025 capital development program requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling twenty five million dollars ($25,000,000) for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6350 amends the current laws regarding hotel taxes. It allows individual cities and towns to levy an additional local hotel tax of up to two percent (2%). This new local tax would be added to the existing one percent (1%) local hotel tax and the five percent (5%) state hotel tax. The state's division of taxation would administer and collect these local taxes, distributing the funds to the city or town where the hotel is located.
Establishes a statewide standalone children's mobile response and stabilization services to address the behavioral health needs of children and youth ages 2 to 21. DCYF to oversee implementation of the program.
Appropriates the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to fund the Thundermist family medicine residency program during fiscal year 2026 and every fiscal year thereafter.
Maddy summaryHB 5984 establishes "The Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program" to increase the number of primary care healthcare providers in Rhode Island. The program, administered by the Director of the Department of Health, offers scholarships to students pursuing careers as medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Eligible recipients can receive up to $70,000 annually for medical school or $47,000 annually for nurse practitioner or physician assistant programs. In exchange for the scholarship, recipients must agree to work in Rhode Island providing primary care healthcare services upon completing their education and licensing.
Maddy summaryHB 6236 proposes to amend the structure of school bus districts within the state to provide transportation for students in grades kindergarten through twelve. It redefines the geographical boundaries of nine school bus regions, affecting pupils attending public, vocational, special education, and certain nonpublic schools. Local school committees are tasked with providing bus transportation for eligible students residing within their specific region. The bill also includes provisions for a transition period for existing transportation arrangements and addresses funding for specific educational programs, including a stabilization fund for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center.
Authorizes the office of postsecondary commissioner to expand bilingual and dual language teacher certificates in urban schools through two scholarship programs for students and teachers, with eligibility requirements and donations.
Directs the DHS and the department of education to work collaboratively to sustain and strengthen existing workforce development and compensation programs for educators working in licensed child care and early learning programs statewide.
Maddy summaryHB 5981, titled "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act," proposes to establish a new state funding category specifically for civics education. This bill amends an existing section of law (16-7.2-6) that outlines various categorical state-funded education expenses. If enacted, public school districts would become eligible to receive direct state funding for their civics education programs, similar to support currently provided for areas like special education and career and technical education.
Maddy summaryHB 5199, the Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act, seeks to expand and improve access to high-quality prekindergarten programs for three and four-year-olds throughout the state. It directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to establish quality standards for these programs, which will operate through a mixed network including Head Start, public schools, and licensed child care providers. The bill also requires competitive wages and benefits for prekindergarten and Head Start teachers and establishes a working group to address workforce development in early childhood education. Beginning July 1, 2025, 30% of new pre-kindergarten expansion funds will be set aside to support early learning programs for infants and toddlers.
