Defines a quorum of the building code standards committee be a majority of the current board members and amends the state building code to require that sections provide that dwelling units from one to four (4) units use the international residential code.
Maddy summarySB 827 requires casinos to pay overtime to workers who work on Sundays or designated holidays, such as New Year's Day or Christmas. This bill directly affects casino employees in Rhode Island, as it amends the state's labor law to include them under overtime protections previously excluded. The key change modifies the definition of "employee" to remove casinos from the list of exempt workplaces, ensuring they follow standard overtime rules for holiday and Sunday shifts. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not alter other exemptions, like those for restaurants or healthcare workers.
Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 880) passed by the Rhode Island Senate to mark March 25, 2025, as the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day. It symbolically celebrates Greece's historical struggle for democracy and the longstanding US-Greece alliance, referencing shared values like freedom and religious tolerance. The resolution urges Turkey to respect religious freedoms and commends Rhode Island's Greek-American community for its cultural contributions. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, as it is a ceremonial gesture by the state Senate.
Creates the interchange fee restriction act restricting interchange fees on sales and use tax or excise tax when payment is made with a credit or debit card.
Maddy summarySB 561 presumes property owners or occupants acted in reasonable self-defense if a person committing a violent crime (such as assault or burglary) is injured or killed while on their premises, provided the criminal was lawfully present. It creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner reasonably believed force was necessary to prevent serious harm, and removes the requirement to retreat from such threats. This applies to violent offenses enumerated in the bill, directly affecting property owners defending against violent intruders. The bill does not change criminal liability but shifts the initial legal presumption in favor of the property owner during prosecution.
Amends the definition of "regulated institution", to include non-depository trust companies organized under the law of any state or the United States Government.
Maddy summarySB 842 prohibits payment networks, banks, and processors from charging interchange fees (fees between banks for card transactions) on the tax or gratuity portion of a customer's payment. It directly affects merchants who process credit/debit card payments, requiring them to report tax and gratuity amounts during transaction authorization or settlement to avoid these fees. If merchants don’t report upfront, they can submit documentation within 180 days to receive refunds for improperly charged fees. Violations carry $1,000 penalties per transaction and require fee refunds to merchants. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
Changes the community service requirements of a sentence related to the violation of § 11-44-21.1 relating to defacing private residences, offices, businesses or commercial property.
Permits non-sworn public safety officers/security guards at private colleges/universities to detain individuals for no longer than 30 minutes within the campus’s jurisdiction if the officer or guard believes the person committed a criminal offense.
Adds a rebuttable defense if any person shall die or sustain a personal injury while committing robbery of the owner, lessor, or occupant of a motor vehicle and that the owner or occupant of the vehicle acted in self-defense.
