Sen. Walter Felag

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the creation of special license plates for vehicles owned by the not-for-profit Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. The plates will feature the organization's name, require a $40 issuance fee plus a $10 renewal surcharge, and include a $20 annual distribution to the group to support its mission of transporting WWII and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C. The legislation also mandates that any funds raised from these plates be used for Rhode Island-based charitable organizations and requires the group to submit annual accounting reports.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Joseph Couto to legally marry Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Tiverton, Rhode Island, on or around August 2, 2026. It grants Couto the specific legal power to perform this ceremony under the state's existing marriage laws, overriding any other rules that might apply. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passing and is designed solely to enable this single wedding event without changing broader marriage regulations.

Maddy summarySB 3297 amends the state workers' compensation law to clarify definitions and expand the authority of the workers' compensation court. The bill updates how "earnings capacity" is calculated for injured workers, specifying that courts can consider an employee's ability to work based on their functional impairment without requiring the employer to identify specific job offers. It also clarifies who qualifies as an "employee" and "employer," including state agencies and contractors, while explicitly excluding independent contractors, sole proprietors, and corporate officers. Additionally, the legislation grants the court broader powers to enforce its orders and manage disputes regarding liability, disability status, and medical causation for cases filed after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated domestic violence calendar within the Rhode Island Superior Court specifically for handling felony domestic violence cases. The new system would prioritize scheduling these cases and assign them to specific personnel to ensure consistent judicial oversight and better enforcement of protective orders. It applies to serious crimes involving domestic violence, violations of no-contact orders, and weapon-related offenses connected to such matters. The legislation aims to improve public safety and court efficiency by centralizing the processing of these specific criminal proceedings.

Makes a series of amendments and adds new provisions of law to address business identity theft and deceptive solicitations sent to businesses and the unauthorized formation of entities.

Prohibits healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim.

Maddy summarySB 2678 increases the monthly minimum retirement benefit paid to spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of retired teachers. This change directly affects individuals who receive survivor benefits under the teachers' retirement system. The bill raises the minimum monthly payment amount without altering other retirement eligibility rules. It was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Extends certain protocols applicable to motor vehicle manufacturers to their distributors and factory branches, as well as updates warranty reimbursement and recalls obligation policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends legal immunity protections to advanced practice registered nurses, granting them the same liability protections as physicians under Virginia's mental health law. The key provision states that neither physicians nor licensed advanced practice registered nurses can be held liable in court for their participation in mental health proceedings unless actual fraud or gross, willful, or wanton negligence is proven. It also clarifies that neither group can be sued for damages resulting from a patient exercising rights protected by the mental health law, such as discharge decisions, even if those actions contradict written medical orders. This change directly affects mental health facilities and healthcare providers by aligning the legal protections for nurses with those for physicians in this specific context.

Creates three (3) new awards for Rhode Island National Guard members and would provide eligibility for the Rhode Island star for certain civilian government employees and military and civilian leaders of foreign governments.