Sen. Ryan Pearson

Maddy summarySB 2035 requires that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) be allowed without special approval only if the property is owner-occupied and the owner has resided there for at least five years. This directly affects property owners seeking to build ADUs, as they must meet the 5-year residency requirement before ADUs can be permitted by right. The bill also sets uniform standards, including minimum size requirements (e.g., 900 sq. ft. for one-bedroom ADUs), prohibits excessive fees or discriminatory restrictions, and bans ADUs for short-term rentals. It ensures municipalities cannot impose additional lot requirements or restrict ADUs based on income unless part of specific affordable housing programs.

Establishes Children's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide finance assistance to families for medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance contract.

Maddy summarySB 2276 repeals the state's current law on unreasonable noise levels, which set specific limits (such as sound audible 100 feet away or penetrating a vehicle from 20 feet) and replaces it with a provision allowing cities and towns to establish their own local noise control ordinances. Municipalities will be able to set their own maximum sound levels for different activities, considering factors like time of day, proximity to homes, and whether noise comes from residential or commercial sources. The bill removes state-level noise restrictions but does not impose new state regulations, shifting responsibility for noise control to local governments. This change takes effect upon passage.

Permits students diagnosed with asthma, a condition that may lead to bronchospasm or anaphylaxis, or both, to carry and self-administer asthma medication or auto-injectable or intranasal epinephrine, or both.

Maddy summarySB 2076 allows Rhode Island cities, towns, school districts, and water/fire districts to jointly create nonprofit insurance corporations. These corporations would pool insurance risks (like property, casualty, and health coverage) for their member local governments, handle claims processing, and operate as public entities without being regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. The bill specifies that these corporations cannot be treated as standard insurance companies, their bonds won’t count as state debt, and they’ll maintain tax-exempt status for their assets and income. This directly affects local government units seeking cost-effective, shared risk management solutions for their insurance needs.

Maddy summarySB 2299 allows individuals with multiple non-violent felony convictions to clear their court records after completing their sentences. It specifically applies to people convicted of more than one felony (excluding violent crimes or certain offenses under Chapter 29), provided they have paid all fees and fines and maintained a clean record for 10 years prior to filing. The bill amends existing expungement rules to extend the eligibility period from 5 to 10 years for multiple felony convictions and requires courts to verify no new offenses occurred during that time. It does not apply to violent felony convictions or certain drug-related offenses under Chapter 29. The bill is currently in the introduction stage, having been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summarySB 2313 shortens the waiting period for expunging criminal records. It reduces the time to 3 years after completing a sentence for a single misdemeanor, and 5 years for felony convictions or multiple misdemeanors (2-5 offenses). The bill maintains existing requirements, including paying all court fees and fines (unless waived), and excludes convictions for violent crimes or certain offenses under specific statutes. This change directly affects individuals seeking to clear past criminal records under these categories.

Maddy summarySB 2290 requires courts to release most people arrested for misdemeanors without financial conditions (like cash bail), unless the case involves domestic violence or the court finds a risk the person will skip court or threaten witnesses. It mandates the Department of Corrections to gather background information - including employment, community ties, and criminal history - to help courts decide on non-financial release conditions. Courts may then impose conditions like regular check-ins or community supervision to ensure court appearances and public safety. The bill applies only to misdemeanor cases and does not affect felony charges or existing procedures for those exceptions.

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

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fully implement all parts of the state's education funding formula as required by law. The bill specifically targets areas where the department has not yet fully applied statutory funding rules, particularly for students with the greatest needs, multilingual learners, and poverty index calculations. It directs the department to review and ensure complete compliance with existing funding statutes, including how permanent foundation aid is distributed and how local and state shares are calculated. The resolution formally requests this action and authorizes the Secretary of State to send copies to key education officials and the Governor.