Sen. Jake Bissaillon

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to set a statewide cap of 12% per year on the interest or penalties that cities and towns can charge on unpaid local taxes. Currently, local municipalities have the authority to set these rates up to 18%, but this legislation would lower that maximum limit for most towns while keeping the existing 12% cap for the city of Cranston. The change aims to standardize the maximum cost of late payments across the state by amending the General Laws regarding local tax assessments.

Increases the killed-in-line-of-duty benefit for active or retired police officer, capitol police officer, correctional officer, firefighter, crash rescue crew person, fire marshal or deputy fire marshal from 40% to 100% of the federal death benefit.

Extends the sunset date of the Rhode Island hope scholarship pilot program act from 2028 to 2030, in order to allow the program to provide eligible students with funding for tuition and mandatory fees for an additional two (2) years.

Requires businesses that offer automatic subscription renewals/continuous service offers to provide consumers with notice to the consumer prior to their engagement in the contract along with notice of renewal of subscription/cancellation info. eff. 1/1/25

Brings greater public scrutiny to the public auction sales of real estate in Rhode Island by requiring public auctions by any city or town of real estate or an interest therein shall only be done in person, not by electronic or remote procedures.

Allows a modification to federal adjusted gross income of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) of social security income for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Administration to create an online portal that tracks the number of funded full-time equivalent positions in the Departments of Children, Youth and Families and Human Services. The portal will display data broken down by specific job titles, such as social caseworkers and clinical social workers, showing how many positions are budgeted versus how many are currently filled. It requires the site to be updated monthly with side-by-side comparisons of budget proposals and finalized figures to allow for easy tracking of staffing changes over time.

Repeals the required HIV testing for an individual convicted under chapter 34.1 of title 11 and allows the option for HIV testing for any person convicted under this chapter.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a current exemption that allows certain nursing service agencies accredited by the Joint Commission to operate without state licensure. Under the new rules, these agencies, which currently provide temporary staff to hospitals, will be required to obtain a state license like other nursing services. The change applies specifically to organizations that were previously able to bypass state regulation by maintaining accreditation from the Joint Commission or another entity approved by the state director.

Maddy summarySB 2630 amends state zoning laws to establish uniform definitions and standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary living spaces on the same lot as a primary home. The bill clarifies what constitutes an ADU, including detached units, garage conversions, and expanded primary dwellings, while also defining related terms like "abutter" and "adaptive reuse." By standardizing these definitions, the legislation aims to help towns and cities create consistent local zoning ordinances that allow for the construction of additional housing units.