Affords an option for police and firefighters to receive retirement allowances, without reduction, who seek retirement after twenty (20) years of service upon reaching age fifty-seven (57).
Amends several sections of chapter 24 of title 45, entitled "zoning ordinances," also known as the "Rhode Island zoning enabling act of 1991," with the intent of preserving neighborhood character and promoting smart growth.
Requires individual and group health insurance policies that provide pregnancy-related benefits to cover medically necessary expenses for diagnosis and treatment of infertility and standard fertility-preservation services.
Requires the state building commissioner to implement electronic permitting for any category of state or local permit authorized under state law to significantly impact the expediency of construction and development.
Changes the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date.
Maddy summarySB 21 modifies teacher certification processes in Rhode Island. It automatically extends existing teacher certifications for three or five years, without fees, for those certified by July 1, 2025. To promote recruitment, the bill waives initial teacher certification application and Praxis examination fees for a three-year period starting July 1, 2025. It also allows teachers with at least three years of experience to acquire additional certifications and directs the Department of Education to create more flexible pathways for obtaining teacher and administrator certifications, including recognizing non-traditional experience.
Maddy summarySB 165 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by including them under the definition of third-party administrators. It requires PBMs to file annual reports detailing their financial arrangements with insurers and their organizational structure if affiliated. The bill specifically prohibits "spread pricing," which means PBMs cannot charge health benefit plans and covered persons more for a prescription drug than what they pay the pharmacy, less an administrative fee. This aims to ensure fair pricing practices for prescription drugs, directly affecting PBMs, health benefit plans, and individuals covered by those plans.
Amends Rhode Island’s existing healthcare services funding plan act by adding an account relating to a new psychiatry resource network to fund Rhode Island’s present PediPRN and MomsPRN.
Expands council on elementary and secondary education and board of education and makes teacher of year and student advisory chair voting members on each.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1030 is a commemorative resolution that celebrates Rhode Island Independence Day on May 4, 2025. It recognizes the historical significance of Rhode Island's early renunciation of allegiance to the British crown and directs a copy of the resolution to be sent to the Nathanael Greene Homestead Association, Inc.
