Sen. Meghan Kallman

Limits the use of certain criminal records and credit history reports in denying housing to prospective applicants, and provides for fines for failure to comply. This act further requires notices of denials to be sent to the prospective tenants.

Maddy summarySB 212 amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to establish "just cause" eviction requirements for residential tenancies. This bill prevents landlords from removing tenants or refusing to renew leases without a court order based on specific "good cause" grounds. It directly affects residential landlords and tenants. Exemptions include owner-occupied premises with fewer than four units and situations where the sublessor seeks possession for personal use. One specified ground for good cause is a tenant's failure to pay rent, unless the rent increase was unreasonable.

Submits 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds to the voters for approval at the November, 2026, general election.

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted exemption by the secretary of housing. Provides tenants with a civil action to recover damages, including award of attorneys' fees and punitive damages, for any violations.

Would provide children up to age three (3) with continuous coverage eligibility for RIte Track/RIte Care so that they are not at risk of losing coverage at the yearly redetermination due solely to administrative barriers.

Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.

Changes utility company billing practices so that when a gas electric utility changes their customer billing, they are required to file a copy of the new bill with the PUC for approval, with a complete explanation of the changes.

Modifies the real estate sales disclosure form to include the disclosure of “blower door diagnostic air leakage testing” and advises that air leakage testing is recommended prior to purchasing a residential unit.

Creates an 11 member commission to analyze the impact and potential economic benefits of bail reforms on Black Rhode Islanders, and would report back by February 5, 2026, and expire on April 5, 2026.

Maddy summarySR 632 is a Senate resolution requesting state and transportation authorities to study expanding MBTA commuter rail service between Providence and Wickford Junction. It specifically asks the Governor, RIDOT Director, and MBTA General Manager to explore increasing weekday evening service to Wickford and adding weekend service, based on current gaps (weekends currently lack Wickford stops). The resolution does not mandate changes but directs these agencies to report findings by June 2025. This affects MBTA operations, RIDOT coordination, and commuters traveling between Providence and Wickford Junction.