Increases continuing education requirements for physician assistants, removes restrictions of PAs to render charitable care and aid for school and youth programs or cardiac arrest and removes restrictive covenants as to ownership by a PA.
Provides that a defendant's third and subsequent violation of domestic violence offenses, including both prior felony and misdemeanor convictions, would be punishable as a felony.
Submits the state's 2026 capital development program relating to green bonds requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling $60,000,000 for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026.
Establishes a restricted receipt account for the benefit of the Rhode Island public transit authority funded by sales taxes collected from ride-share companies; and provided further, the account would be exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.
Allows for the licensing of certified surgical first assistants to assist in surgeries through the department of health and a 7 member board of licensure.
Maddy summaryHB 7506 exempts sales tax on batteries that store solar power for on-site use (behind-the-meter systems) when connected to solar photovoltaic installations. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners purchasing such battery systems for solar energy storage. The bill amends the state's sales tax code to add this exemption under existing tax categories, removing the sales tax burden specifically for these renewable energy storage components. It does not change tax rates for other items or create new requirements.
Requires all major hospitals within the state constructed or substantially renovated or expanded on or after 1/1/2028 to use renewable energy sources for power.
Establishes the Rhode Island Maternal Health Improvement and Equity Act of 2026, to establish permanent statewide support for maternal health and to implement the maternal health strategic plan improving maternal health care and access.
Maddy summaryHB 7721 establishes Rhode Island's first statewide ban on the corporate practice of medicine, prohibiting non-licensed entities (like corporations or management services organizations) from owning medical practices or interfering with physicians' clinical decisions. It requires that medical practices be majority-owned and controlled by licensed physicians, with physicians holding the majority of voting shares, board seats, and key leadership roles. The law also bans restrictive contracts, noncompete agreements, and advertising by non-physician entities that could undermine physician autonomy over patient care. This directly affects medical practices partnering with corporate management entities, ensuring doctors maintain control over clinical operations, staffing, and patient care standards.
Requires a healthcare entity to submit written notice to the attorney general and the department of health of any material change transaction at least 180 days prior to that transaction.
