Sen. Meghan Kallman

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 2024 as "Rhode Island Pharmacy Advocacy Month" to honor the contributions of pharmacy professionals to public health. The bill encourages citizens, healthcare workers, and organizations to participate in events that highlight the vital role pharmacists play in medication therapy and patient care. It also directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association and the state Board of Pharmacy.

Establishes a housing land bank program with the goal of creating affordable housing in the State of Rhode Island. The housing land bank would have the authority to buy, receive and hold property in furtherance of this goal.

Establishes building safety code standards for multi-dwelling buildings and requires the development of recommendations for resolving any conflicts between fire safety codes and the building codes.

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

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to allocate $2,000,000 in state funds to the Elisha Project, a nonprofit organization based in Pawtucket that works to reduce food insecurity across Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley. The funding is intended to support the group's daily operations, which include providing food and essential necessities to families, children, veterans, and other community members in need. The legislation authorizes the state controller to release these funds from the general treasury once properly verified requests are submitted. This measure directly impacts the Elisha Project by providing financial resources to continue its community safety net services during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents health insurance plans from requiring approval reviews for prescriptions used to treat alcohol or opioid use disorders. It specifically protects medications containing methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, as well as drugs approved for opioid withdrawal, from being subjected to prospective or concurrent utilization reviews. The law applies to all health benefit plans issued or renewed after the bill becomes effective and also mandates that Medicaid managed care organizations follow specific state criteria for these determinations. By removing these review barriers, the legislation aims to streamline access to addiction treatment medications for covered individuals.

Establishes a program within the adult correctional institution to permit medication assisted treatment approved by the FDA to be provided for the treatment of opioid use disorder to any incarcerated individual.

Repeals 42-56-38.1 and requires the department of corrections to provide free communication services to inmates and juveniles held in residential placement or detention centers and requires that those facilities provide in-person contact visits.

Prohibits a landlord from inquiring about the immigration status of a tenant subject to any federal laws or regulations, but may request financial information or proof of identity.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 10, 2024, as Lupus Day in Rhode Island to raise awareness about lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects women aged 15 to 45. The bill highlights the need for better public understanding of the condition's symptoms and encourages charitable donations to the Lupus Foundation of America and related research organizations. By formally proclaiming the date, the Senate aims to join global efforts in supporting patients and improving access to medical care for those living with the disease.