Sen. David Tikoian

Maddy summarySB 2388 freezes the issuance of new home care, home nursing, and hospice provider licenses until July 1, 2031, with limited exceptions for emergencies, pending applications, ownership changes, or geographic service gaps. During the moratorium, the Department of Health must conduct a statewide study to assess current service availability, underserved areas, and future needs. The maximum number of licenses for each category is capped at the 2026 count, decreasing annually if providers close. If the health department fails to complete the study by 2031, the license freeze remains in effect.

Recognizes that municipal employees have the opportunity to utilize binding arbitration and establishes new factors for the arbitrators to consider. These factors include comparisons of wages/hourly conditions of employment in similarly skilled jobs.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates April as "Holocaust & Genocide Awareness Month" in Rhode Island. It encourages history and social science teachers to include lessons about past and ongoing genocides in their classrooms to promote understanding and prevent future atrocities. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send copies of this proclamation to the Commissioner of Education and the state's Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission.

Establishes a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, unless approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.

Requires any contractor performing construction or maintenance for RIDOT, RITBA or any other construction on any state roads have in place an attenuator truck/crash truck with an operational camera.

Includes the governor's commission on disabilities in the decision making process for the disability parking enforcement enhancement program and requires an annual report be submitted to the governor's commission.

Establishes a restricted receipt account at the DLT for hospitality industry workforce training grants, funded by an annual $50 dollar fee to be charged by RIDOH to food service establishments.

Maddy summarySB 2658 creates a new regulatory category for small portable solar generation devices used in residential settings. It directly affects homeowners who install these portable solar systems, clarifying how they interact with public utility regulations. The bill establishes specific rules for these devices under utility law, ensuring they are treated separately from larger residential or commercial solar installations. This provides a clear framework for utilities to manage connections and billing for portable systems without requiring major infrastructure changes. The bill focuses on defining the scope of these devices within existing utility frameworks.

Permits Johnston to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking is available near these units.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates April 2026 as "School Library Month" throughout the State of Rhode Island. The bill aims to draw public attention to the vital role school librarians play in fostering literacy, critical thinking, and digital citizenship among students. It does not alter any laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage citizens to recognize the value of school libraries. Upon passage, the Secretary of State will send copies of the resolution to the School Librarians of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Library Association.