Sen. Meghan Kallman

Maddy summaryThis Rhode Island Senate resolution (SR 2067) condemns unauthorized U.S. military actions and violations of foreign sovereignty, specifically referencing recent events involving Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro. It calls for all military force abroad to require explicit Congressional approval, aligning with a recent U.S. Senate resolution. The resolution directs Rhode Island's Secretary of State to send certified copies to the U.S. President, Congress, and Rhode Island's congressional delegation. It does not create new laws but formally expresses the state Senate's position on interventionist policies.

This act would repeal the exemption granted to pari mutual facilities and casinos from the smoke free workplace requirement contained in the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act.

Requires employer, at the start of employment, furnish to their employees a written notice containing employment information relative to wages, rates of pay, allowances, benefits, deductions from pay, and identifying information relative to the employer.

Maddy summarySB 229 repeals the legal authorization for "deferred-deposit transactions," commonly known as payday loans, by removing the specific definition that allowed these services in the state. This directly affects payday lenders operating within the state, ending their ability to legally offer short-term cash advances secured by personal checks or future account debits. The bill eliminates the regulatory framework enabling these transactions, which were previously defined under "deferred-deposit transactions" and "payday loans" in the licensing statutes. The law was signed by the governor on July 1, 2025, making it effective immediately.

Requires the department of health to incorporate information about dementia risk factors and reduction into public education and healthcare provider education materials.

Maddy summarySB 476 removes a 3-month supply limit for initial contraceptive prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists in Rhode Island. This change directly affects patients seeking first-time hormonal contraceptive access through pharmacies, allowing pharmacists to prescribe longer initial supplies. The bill also requires pharmacists to complete specific training, provide patient risk assessments, and notify primary care providers, while maintaining insurance coverage requirements for these contraceptives. The law took effect on June 30, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Authorizes the establishment of a RI housing champion designation program. This program would make qualified municipalities eligible to receive preferential access to state resources, including discretionary state infrastructure funds, as available.

Maddy summarySB 716 establishes a formal process for local governments and private entities to modify parking near public shoreline access areas in Rhode Island. It requires detailed plans showing how changes won’t reduce access, especially for people with disabilities (meeting ADA standards), and mandates a 30-day public comment period before approval. Entities that skip these steps face fines up to $5,000 per day, with penalty funds going to a new "shoreline access improvement fund" for public access projects. The bill directly affects towns, businesses, and organizations managing coastal parking while ensuring compliance with state laws and accessibility requirements.

Maddy summarySB 483 (Pharmacy Refill Bill) allows pharmacists to dispense a one-time refill of essential medications for up to 100 days under specific conditions. It directly affects patients who cannot reach their prescriber for a refill and pharmacists managing medication continuity. The bill permits refills only for non-controlled substances (excluding Schedule II-V drugs) needed for life-sustaining or chronic conditions, where stopping treatment could cause health risks, and requires pharmacists to notify the prescriber within seven business days. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and aims to prevent treatment interruptions without prescriber authorization.

Adds the process of permitting the construction of attached single-family dwellings in identified zoning districts as a factor that zoning ordinances must address.