Prohibits public and private colleges and universities from charging students for institution provided health insurance in the absence of affirmative action by the student opting-in to coverage.
Maddy summarySB 2501 changes when state employees can negotiate salary boosts tied to years of service. Starting July 1, 2026, non-classified state employees (excluding faculty and those already receiving such boosts) will be allowed to negotiate "longevity payments" of 5% after 10 years and 10% after 20 years of service. The bill explicitly ends the current ban on new longevity increases (in place since 2011) and allows future collective bargaining agreements to include these provisions. It applies broadly to state employees across education boards, government agencies, and other state departments.
Requires annual inspections of those assisted living residences which contain units licensed to treat residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Establishes provisions for student and teacher classroom safety and provides the authority to remove students from classrooms. This act provides for student and educator protections from said removals.
Allows, but not require, local licensing authorities to grant temporary periods for extended indoor service hours under existing liquor licenses for certain 2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament matches.
Expands the benefit definitions of temporary care giver leave to include a grandchild and care recipient and would increase a leave benefits period to 10 weeks for 2027 and twelve 12 weeks for 2028.
Expands council on elementary and secondary education and board of education and makes teacher of year and student advisory chair voting members on each.
Repeals the law that prevents a collective bargaining agreement covering state employees, public school teachers and municipal employees from specifying a particular healthcare provider in it.
Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows county and statewide grand juries in Rhode Island to issue public reports on matters involving code of ethics violations or other public concerns, provided at least twelve jurors agree to the report. The legislation establishes a review process where the superior court examines each report to ensure it is based on evidence, gives named individuals a chance to respond, and removes confidential or prejudicial information before making it public. Named individuals in the reports can appeal the decision to release them to the state supreme court, and the court may seal reports if they could interfere with ongoing criminal cases. The changes apply to both county and statewide grand juries, which will now have the authority to investigate and publish findings beyond traditional indictments.
