Sen. Thomas Paolino

Maddy summarySB 90 legalizes the sale of raw milk within Rhode Island by amending the Milk Sanitation Code to remove the requirement that all milk must be pasteurized before sale. This directly affects dairy producers who can now sell raw milk directly to consumers, and consumers who gain access to raw milk products. The bill maintains existing safety standards, such as requiring milk to come from healthy animals and be produced under sanitary conditions, but explicitly allows raw milk sales (with an exception for goat milk requiring a physician's written prescription). It does not change other regulations like bacterial testing requirements for milk plants or labeling rules.

Maddy summarySB 119 authorizes the state Department of Health to create rules that make buprenorphine more accessible for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). The bill directly affects patients with OUD and healthcare providers who prescribe this medication by requiring the department to adopt regulations that remove barriers to buprenorphine use. Key provisions include amending state law to mandate the department develop rules supporting "more liberal utilization" of buprenorphine in treatment. The bill does not change current prescribing requirements but gives the department authority to update regulations to expand access. It takes effect upon passage.

Requires the director of the Rhode Island emergency management agency and the Rhode Island commerce commission to develop and implement a plan to assist businesses in obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program.

Maddy summarySB 57 requires the state, not local towns, to handle all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways - such as repairs, cleaning, and replacing damaged sections - with the exception of snow and ice removal. This bill amends two sections of the state’s General Laws (24-7-8 and 24-8-6) to explicitly assign this responsibility to the state’s transportation director. It directly affects state highway authorities and eliminates prior ambiguity about who maintains sidewalks adjacent to state roads. The law takes effect upon passage and does not change existing requirements for sidewalk construction approval.

Requires the department of transportation, in consultation with the department of environmental management also to conduct an environmental impact study of motor vehicle non-exhaust particle emissions.

Expands the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate.

Requires DCYF to submit a one-time, detailed report on the effectiveness of EBPs in keeping children out of foster care, providing valuable data on the programs' impact on high-risk families, reunification outcomes, and program availability.

This resolution would extend the reporting and expiration dates of the special legislative commission to study Rhode Island’s minimum wage from May 4, 2025, to May 4, 2026, and said commission would expire on January 4, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 596), not a substantive bill. It formally expresses the Rhode Island Senate's deepest condolences to the Box family following the passing of Dr. Joseph J. Box. The resolution specifically directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to Dr. Box's children. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any policies or individuals beyond this expression of sympathy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 597) formally recognizes March 8, 2025, as "International Women’s Day" and the entire month of March 2025 as "Women’s History Month" within Rhode Island. It is a ceremonial resolution with no policy or funding changes, intended solely to honor women’s contributions. The resolution cites historical Rhode Island women and global observances to support this recognition. It was passed by the Rhode Island Senate on March 4, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to notify the Governor.