Sen. Lou DiPalma

Requires EOHHS to develop a budget and seek funding to establish an early childhood mental health hub program to improve access to infant and early childhood mental health services for children under six (6) years and their families.

Creates the Rhode Island Childcare Assistance Program that governs both family eligibility for the state’s childcare subsidy program and expands eligibility for the program to meet the federal eligibility benchmark.

Provides that the school year for all public schools, including traditional public and public charter schools, independent charter schools, and mayoral academies, would start on the same date of each calendar year.

Replaces the coastal resources management council with a state department of coastal resources and transfer all of the powers and duties between the two (2) authorities.

Amends the definition of "regulated institution", to include non-depository trust companies organized under the law of any state or the United States Government.

Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance.

Maddy summarySB 157 allows F.H.J. Moving & Storage, Inc. (a company incorporated since 1962) to have its business charter reinstated if it meets specific requirements by December 31, 2025. To qualify, the company must file all overdue tax returns, pay all outstanding state taxes, obtain a certificate from the tax administrator confirming payment, and submit required reports and fees to the secretary of state. If these steps are completed, the state will reverse the previous revocation of its charter, restoring the company's legal status and business privileges. This bill directly affects only F.H.J. Moving & Storage, Inc. and does not create new state policies or impact other businesses.

Establishes a process whereby large drug manufacturers, may be penalized for prescription drug price increases where there is no, or inadequate, new evidence to support the price increase.

Maddy summarySB 222 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse pharmacists at least the national average drug acquisition cost (based on federal CMS data) plus a standard dispensing fee, or the wholesale acquisition cost plus the fee if national data isn't available. This directly affects community pharmacies and PBMs, ensuring they receive fair payment for dispensing medications. The bill mandates PBMs to disclose financial arrangements to regulators and allows the Health Insurance Commissioner to impose civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation for noncompliance. It aims to prevent PBMs from underpaying pharmacies, promoting fair competition in drug pricing.

Maddy summarySR 820 proposes a constitutional amendment to change voting eligibility rules in Rhode Island. It would remove the current 30-day state and local residency requirement for voting, instead requiring voters to be registered by election day. The amendment also maintains a 30-day residency requirement for candidates seeking office. This change would directly affect all eligible voters and candidates for state offices in Rhode Island, altering how residency and registration are handled under the state constitution.