Sen. Melissa Murray

Maddy summarySB 722 requires construction sites to maintain an open access point for workers during all work hours, prohibiting locked gates, fences, or barriers that obstruct entry or exit. It directly affects construction site owners, operators, and managers on both public and private property. Violations result in a written warning for the first offense, followed by a $1,000 daily fine and immediate work stoppage for subsequent violations. The law aims to ensure workers can freely enter and exit sites while work is ongoing, with no exceptions during active construction. It took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature on June 24, 2025.

Updates public records administration act, modifies records control schedule, designates records officer, establishes procedures for retention of records. Provides administrator submit yearly reports, establishes public reporting compliance.

Recognizes the program run by the Rhode Island Medical Society or comparable program for physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and podiatrists, to address burnout, substance abuse, and mental and physical health issues.

Requires hotel employees and short-term rental property operators to annually receive human trafficking awareness training. The operator of the premises shall maintain records of the completed training.

Ensures that the department of housing is able to access the full calendar year worth of housing choice voucher data for the annual report required by this section and amends the content of the information required to be submitted in the annual report.

Increases the public utilities reserve fund cap and the cap on expenses relating to the public utilities commission and the division of public utilities and carriers representing the state before federal agencies.

Maddy summarySB 347 creates a limited license for foreign-trained physicians in Rhode Island who meet specific criteria. It allows doctors who graduated from medical schools outside the U.S. and completed accredited residency training abroad to practice under supervision, provided they hold ECFMG certification, have at least three years of unrestricted practice in another country, and complete a board-approved training program. This license requires ongoing evaluation through a participating healthcare facility and excludes physicians who completed U.S. or Canadian residency training. The bill directly affects internationally-trained doctors seeking to practice in Rhode Island while ensuring patient safety through structured oversight.

Amends the definitions of a “pupil transportation vehicle” to a vehicle contrasted to seat not more than ten (10) passengers plus the operator, rather than the existing limit of eight (8) passengers.

Maddy summarySB 771 requires all public schools to create and implement a policy restricting student access to personal electronic devices (like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day and school activities to reduce distractions and protect learning environments. The policy must include parental notification and allow exceptions for students needing assistive technology under IEPs/504 plans, medical monitoring (e.g., glucose checks), or language support for emergent multilingual learners. Schools cannot search devices retained during school hours, and the education department must provide annual guidance to help schools develop these policies. The law takes effect on August 1, 2026.

Increases the maximum fill for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances found in schedule II, so that a ninety-day (90) supply may be dispensed at any one time.