Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.
Provides the state would cover dialysis for the treatment of end stage renal disease ("ESRD") and kidney transplants for persons who do not qualify for full Medicaid due to their immigration status.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 20-28, 2024, as "Period Poverty Awareness Week" in Rhode Island to highlight the financial and health challenges faced by women and girls struggling to afford menstrual products. The measure aims to raise public awareness about the issue and encourage efforts to break the stigma surrounding menstruation while advocating for better access and funding. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to specific local organizations, including Brown University and the RI Foundation, to support their work in addressing period poverty.
Amends several sections of chapter 24 of title 45, entitled "zoning ordinances," also known as the "Rhode Island zoning enabling act of 1991," with the intent of preserving neighborhood character and promoting smart growth.
Establishes a new article in the state building code that provides that certain new housing construction contain at least one floor that meets the requirements for a Type C "ANSI'' Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes May 16, 2024, as "Zambarano Day" to honor the Eleanor Slater Hospital-Zambarano campus in Rhode Island. The bill acknowledges the facility's long history of providing critical long-term acute care services to patients with severe injuries and illnesses, as well as its role in planning a new state-of-the-art building. By passing this resolution, the Senate expresses its appreciation for the hospital staff and declares its ongoing support for the campus as an exemplary healthcare provider. The resolution concludes by directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the hospital staff.
Maddy summarySB 2630 amends state zoning laws to establish uniform definitions and standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary living spaces on the same lot as a primary home. The bill clarifies what constitutes an ADU, including detached units, garage conversions, and expanded primary dwellings, while also defining related terms like "abutter" and "adaptive reuse." By standardizing these definitions, the legislation aims to help towns and cities create consistent local zoning ordinances that allow for the construction of additional housing units.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 2024 as "Older Americans Month" in Rhode Island to honor the contributions of seniors. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Director of the Office of Healthy Living. It serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.
Maddy summarySB 2237 proposes to increase the minimum cash wage for employees who receive tips, such as those in restaurants and hotels, from $3.89 to $6.75 per hour starting January 1, 2025. Under this bill, employers must pay this higher base rate to workers in industries where gratuities are customary, while still allowing them to count tips toward the overall minimum wage requirement. The legislation also updates the rules for calculating these wages and establishes a process for employers to provide proof that their tip-based wage systems comply with the new standards. Additionally, the bill maintains existing provisions for student workers in nonprofit organizations, who would continue to be paid at least 90% of the standard minimum wage.
Creates new definition for the term "employee", for purposes of wages, workers' compensation, temporary disability and unemployment insurance benefits, which deems a worker to be an employee, as opposed to an independent contractor.
