Sen. Val Lawson

Primary SB 870

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

Provides $4,000,000 to support comprehensive and effective afterschool, school vacation, summer learning and workforce development programs for students in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12).

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $4M funding for K-12 after-school programs, directly increasing state budget allocation for education services.95% confidence EducationSupports EducationProvides $4M for K-12 afterschool/summer programs, directly funding educational access and student support initiatives.95% confidence

died May 27, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 457

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SUPPORT AND ACCESS TO BILINGUAL EDUCATION

Provides funding to establish a dual language program within the department of elementary and secondary education. It also describe how to implement he Support and Access to Bilingual Education “SABE Act” for all Local Education Agencies “LEA” recipients.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state funding for bilingual education program, constituting public service appropriation under budget allocation.95% confidence EducationSupports EducationProvides funding for dual language programs and implements SABE Act to expand bilingual education access, directly advancing educational access and program support.95% confidence

died May 27, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 785

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BILINGUAL, DUAL LANGUAGE AND WORLD LANGUAGE TEACHERS INVESTMENT ACT

Authorizes the office of postsecondary commissioner to expand bilingual and dual language teacher certificates in urban schools through two scholarship programs for students and teachers, with eligibility requirements and donations.

EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship programs to expand bilingual/dual language teacher certificates in urban schools, directly funding teacher development and enhancing educational access.95% confidence

died May 27, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 189

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.

HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid reimbursement eligibility to include graduate intern services under supervision, increasing access to healthcare coverage through new provider participation.90% confidence

died May 27, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 430

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

Establishes a statewide “Healthy School Meals for all” universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years

EducationSupports EducationEstablishes universal school meal program, expanding access and funding for student nutrition in public schools, directly advancing educational access and student support.95% confidence

died May 27, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 333

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Requires EOHHS to establish a 1-year pilot program for nutritional assistance and medically tailored meals, groceries and produce for peoples with diet-related diseases or food insecurity, and other interventions where there is a clinical need.

HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes pilot program for medically tailored meals targeting diet-related diseases and food insecurity, improving access to health services and addressing clinical needs in public health.95% confidence

died May 27, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SR 412

In committee · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

JOINT RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE MEDICAID SECTION 1115 DEMONSTRATION WAIVER REQUESTS AND RENEWALS -- RHODE ISLAND MEDICAID REFORM ACT OF 2008

Maddy summaryThis bill approves amendments to Rhode Island's Medicaid program under a federal waiver, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries and healthcare providers. It limits nursing facility and hospital rate increases to 2.3% (aligned with state tax revenue growth) for 2025-2026, eliminates annual home care rate increases, and removes hospital upper payment limits. The bill also establishes an interprofessional consultation program starting October 2025 and authorizes $396 million for hospital payments through Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. These changes require state plan amendments but must not increase overall program spending beyond the 2024-2025 budget. The resolution takes effect July 1, 2025.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ties Medicaid rate increases to tax revenue growth and authorizes $396M, aligning spending with fiscal capacity - promoting responsible budget management.90% confidence HealthcareOpposes HealthcareLimits Medicaid provider rate increases (2.3% cap), eliminates home care rate hikes, and restricts hospital payment adjustments - reducing funding for key services while removing payment limits could strain provider access.85% confidence

In committee May 25, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 731

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Prohibits the state from seeking reimbursement for expenditures made on behalf of disabled Rhode Islanders from an ABLE account after death of the designated beneficiary.

Passed May 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SR 1082

Passed · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING MAY OF 2025, AS "NATIONAL SPEECH - LANGUAGE - HEARING MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "National Speech-Language-Hearing Month" in Rhode Island to raise public awareness about communication disorders. It urges the Department of Human Services to conduct hearing screenings and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to encourage schools and professionals to participate in awareness activities. The resolution is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding.

Passed May 22, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 909

died · Rhode Island Senate · Lead sponsor

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS -- ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

Makes changes to the access to public records act, including clarifying various provisions, increasing the sanctions for knowing and willful violations of the law, and making certain traffic accident data and preferred license plate information public.

died May 22, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track