Sen. Val Lawson

Maddy summarySB 480 mandates that health insurance plans delivered or renewed in the state must provide coverage for FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and related services. This includes emergency contraception, voluntary female sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling. Health insurers must cover at least one therapeutic equivalent of a contraceptive without cost-sharing. If an individual's provider recommends a specific FDA-approved contraceptive for medical reasons, it must be covered without cost-sharing. These benefits extend to covered individuals, their spouses, and dependents, and generally cannot be subject to deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.

Affords an option for police and firefighters to receive retirement allowances, without reduction, who seek retirement after twenty (20) years of service upon reaching age fifty-seven (57).

Maddy summarySB 410 amends the method for calculating service retirement allowances for police officers and firefighters under an optional retirement plan. Beginning July 1, 2025, the bill establishes that a member's retirement allowance will be based on their accrued benefit as of June 30, 2025. For service performed after this date, an additional two and one-half percent (2.5%) of their final compensation will be added per year of service. This adjustment primarily impacts the calculation of future retirement benefits for these public safety personnel.

Amends the pension benefits for both current and former Rhode Island state police members, and would extend the time period a member may serve in the Rhode Island state police.

Maddy summarySB 165 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by including them under the definition of third-party administrators. It requires PBMs to file annual reports detailing their financial arrangements with insurers and their organizational structure if affiliated. The bill specifically prohibits "spread pricing," which means PBMs cannot charge health benefit plans and covered persons more for a prescription drug than what they pay the pharmacy, less an administrative fee. This aims to ensure fair pricing practices for prescription drugs, directly affecting PBMs, health benefit plans, and individuals covered by those plans.

Amends Rhode Island’s existing healthcare services funding plan act by adding an account relating to a new psychiatry resource network to fund Rhode Island’s present PediPRN and MomsPRN.

Includes any costs paid by an enrollee or on behalf of the enrollee by a third party when calculating an enrollee’s overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum or cost sharing requirement under a health plan as of January 1, 2026.

Requires the secretary of the executive office of health and human services to monitor and mandate changes to the price-setting practices of pharmacy benefit managers to prohibit the spread pricing payment model.

Expands council on elementary and secondary education and board of education and makes teacher of year and student advisory chair voting members on each.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1028 proclaims May 5th through May 9th of 2025 as "Teacher Appreciation Week" in the State of Rhode Island. This resolution acknowledges the hard work and dedication of teachers in the state and directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies to the presidents of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals and the National Education Association of Rhode Island.