Sen. Jonathon Acosta

Maddy summarySB 2047 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offenses by adjusting imprisonment thresholds. It redefines a felony as any offense punishable by more than 364 days in jail (previously one year), a misdemeanor as 6 months to 364 days (previously up to one year), and specifies petty misdemeanors and violations with updated fine limits. This bill directly affects all criminal cases classified under these categories in the state's legal system, ensuring consistent application of sentencing terms. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 2432 would require Rhode Island's public colleges (URI, RIC, CCRI) to automatically admit qualifying residents who earned an Eagle Scout rank (Scouting America) or Gold Award (Girl Scouts of the USA), provided they meet basic application requirements like submitting required documents. It does not guarantee admission to competitive programs like nursing or engineering, nor does it affect tuition costs or residency rules. Institutions must verify awards through official documentation, and admission remains subject to meeting all non-academic application steps. The bill takes effect for Fall 2026 applications and applies only to state residents.

Maddy summarySB 2273 sets a statewide maximum limit of 12 children for licensed family child care homes, overriding local zoning ordinances that previously imposed stricter lower limits. It directly affects family child care providers and municipalities by prohibiting cities/towns from restricting the number of children in these homes below 12. The bill explicitly states this does not change existing state licensing rules under Chapter 12.5 of Title 42, only addressing zoning restrictions. (Section 1(d) of SB 2273)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed alcohol retailers to provide drink lids to customers upon request to help prevent drink spiking. The law mandates that businesses post a specific notice informing patrons about the availability of lids and instructs them to ask staff for details. Retailers may charge a reasonable fee for the lids based on wholesale costs, though they are also allowed to offer them for free. For the first violation of this requirement, including failure to post the notice, the penalty is limited to a warning from the regulatory department.

Creates rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities that choose to participate. Reports to be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and submitted to the department of environmental management.

Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges.

Authorizes the City of Central Falls to issue bonds and notes in an amount not exceeding $25,000,000 to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities in the city.

Creates a 19 member special legislative study commission whose purpose it would be to study current practices of state and municipal Juvenile Hearing Boards established pursuant to §§ 8-10-23.1 or 8-10-23.2.

Establishes a child tax credit in the amount of three hundred thirty dollars ($330) for eligible taxpayers adjusted for inflation annually commencing January 1, 2027.

Amends the Rhode Island works program to increases the monthly cash benefit to one hundred percent (100%) of the federal poverty level effective July 1, 2026.