Sen. Val Lawson

Maddy summarySB 471 establishes licensing standards for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Rhode Island, affecting professionals who provide these services. It sets license terms (two years, renewable biennially), requires maintaining a clinical competence certificate for renewal, and creates an inactive status option for two years without fees. The bill also details specific requirements for speech-language pathology assistants, including 18 graduate credit hours, 25 observation hours, and 100 clinical hours under supervision. These changes update procedural rules for professional licensing under Rhode Island law.

Extends coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome by removing the sunset date of December 31, 2025, and mandating such coverage.

Establishes a rare disease advisory council within the department of health to provide guidance and recommendations to educate healthcare providers and the citizens of the state.

Maddy summarySB 263 requires most health insurance plans in the state to cover mobile mental health crisis response and stabilization services for children and teens under 18. These services, delivered by certified providers, address acute issues like self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or severe anxiety through immediate on-site support and follow-up care. The coverage mandate applies to individual/group health, hospital, and medical expense insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes policies like accident-only, Medicare supplements, or limited-benefit plans. Insurers must cover these services without delaying access through utilization review processes.

Establishes a program operated by the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation called the "housing land bank" to create affordable housing in RI with the authority to buy, receive, and hold real property for housing development.

Provide protection for the rights of professional, administrative and secretarial employees of the department of education to collectively bargain over all terms and conditions of employment.

Maddy summarySB 359, the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025, prohibits the sale, manufacture, and purchase of specific firearms defined as "prohibited" under the bill. It directly affects residents and businesses in Rhode Island who handle or own firearms meeting the defined criteria, such as semi-automatic rifles with folding stocks, pistol grips, or magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Key provisions ban weapons with features like detachable magazines, grenade launchers, or threaded barrels, while allowing limited exceptions for current owners selling to dealers or law enforcement. The ban takes effect July 1, 2026, with violations punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine.

Maddy summarySB 172 caps interest rates on medical debt at a maximum of 4% annually (and minimum of 1.5%), based on the weekly average Treasury yield published by the Federal Reserve. It directly affects consumers who owe healthcare providers for services, limiting interest charges on new medical debt incurred after the law takes effect. The bill sets the interest rate using the Federal Reserve's weekly Treasury yield data from the week before the consumer received their bill. This policy change applies only to new medical debt, not existing balances.

Prohibits credit reporting, executions, attachments against a principal residence for judgments based on medical debt. Defines medical debt as an amount for the receipt of health care services, products, or devices.

Increases the taxable wage base for TDI claims from $38,000 to $100,000 or the annual earnings needed by an individual to qualify for the maximum weekly benefit amount and the maximum duration under chapters 39 through 41 of this title.