Sen. Jake Bissaillon

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges Rhode Island's federal delegation (Senators Reed and Whitehouse, and Representatives Magaziner and Amo) to demand reversal of policies harming health programs. It specifically calls for restoring U.S. foreign aid (including PEPFAR for HIV care), ending the Mexico City Policy, unfreezing Medicaid funding, and resuming CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The resolution has no legal force but aims to influence federal policy by advocating for reinstating global health cooperation and domestic health protections. It directly targets the federal delegation's role in addressing these specific policy changes.

Grants an affirmative defense for certain privileged communications, including communications made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination.

Requires superior court clerk to automatically seal cases/individual counts of a criminal complaint/indictment that were dismissed, upon request of the defendant and serve it upon bureau of criminal identification, police department and counsel of record.

Maddy summarySB 737 allows individuals with a felony conviction to have up to six misdemeanor offenses removed from their criminal records through expungement. It specifically applies to people who have been convicted of more than one but fewer than six misdemeanors (and no felony convictions), excluding certain offenses under Chapter 29. To qualify, individuals must pay all court fees and fines (unless waived by the court), and must wait five years after completing their misdemeanor sentences (or ten years for some cases). The bill does not change eligibility for expunging felony records themselves, only adds this option for those with prior felonies and limited misdemeanor counts.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution expressing condolences on the passing of Ann D. McCaffrey, a former Warwick public school teacher and community member. The resolution formally extends "deepest sympathy and condolences" from the Rhode Island Senate to her family, including her children (who include former Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey) and grandchildren. It authorizes the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to her family members. As a commemorative resolution with no policy provisions, it does not create new laws or affect any constituents.

Provides for paid leave for a state employee who donates an organ. The duration of the leave is dependent on the type of donation and notice should be provided to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave.

Adds definitions to prohibition of hazing, make coaches and others responsible for knowingly failing to take reasonable measures to prevent hazing and would punish serious bodily injury by up to ten (10) years in imprisonment.

Maddy summarySB 440 redefines the University of Rhode Island's (URI) governing board of trustees as the sole employer for faculty and staff, taking over all property control and management from the Council on Postsecondary Education. It grants the board authority to set procurement rules (bypassing most state purchasing requirements), establish performance metrics tied to graduation rates and job-relevant degrees, and create transfer pathways with community colleges. The bill directly affects URI’s operations, employees, and students by shifting decision-making power to the board and requiring specific outcome-based reporting. Key provisions include new metrics for bachelor’s degrees within 4-6 years, alignment with Rhode Island’s job market, and accepting AP scores for credit. The bill does not change URI’s mission but formalizes how the university is governed and measured.

Prohibits a peace officer or a school resource officer from employing threats, physical harm, deprivation, deception, coercion, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during the custodial interrogation of a juvenile.

Establishes the commuter transportation benefit chapter. Employers with five hundred (500) or more employees would be required to establish a pre-tax commuter transportation fringe benefit program.