Creates a shellfish hatchery program established by the department of environmental management to foster sustainable development and resiliency of the state's shellfish industry.
Provides that the school year for all public schools, including traditional public and public charter schools, independent charter schools, and mayoral academies, would start on the same date of each calendar year.
Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.
Maddy summarySB 704 requires Rhode Island nursing homes to publicly disclose detailed financial information starting July 1, 2025. Owners and managers with 5% or more ownership or financial influence must submit balance sheets, income statements, cash flow reports, and proof that services provided were at fair market value. This includes all assets, liabilities, expenses, and details on goods/services supplied to the facility. The public will access this data while protecting individual owner privacy, aiming to increase transparency in nursing home finances.
Supports the role of independent family council and makes the waiting list transparent by requiring nursing facilities with more than thirty percent (30%) self-pay residents to admit applicants on a first-come-first-served basis for non-private rooms.
Requires the court to set reasonable bail for all those individuals who appear before it as probation violators and establish a presumption of personal recognizance unless the new alleged offense is a crime of violence as defined in the act.
Maddy summarySB 689, the "Embryo Safety and Storage Act," requires Rhode Island's Department of Health to license and regulate facilities storing human eggs, pre-embryos, and embryos used in fertility treatments like IVF. It mandates that all such facilities - including clinics storing embryos - comply with strict safety standards (based on ISO and FDA guidelines), undergo regular inspections, and maintain detailed records to prevent loss during disasters like power outages. The law directly affects fertility clinics and IVF providers by requiring annual licensing, staff qualifications, facility safety checks, and adherence to specific biorepository practices. Failure to comply could lead to license denial, suspension, or revocation.
Caps amount payable for 30 day supply of equipment/supplies for insulin administration/glucose monitoring at $25 or equipment designed to last more than 30 days with no deductible commencing January 1, 2026.
Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance.
Establishes a process whereby large drug manufacturers, may be penalized for prescription drug price increases where there is no, or inadequate, new evidence to support the price increase.
