Sen. Melissa Murray

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for agreements involving the recovery of unclaimed property, such as forgotten bank accounts or safe deposit box contents. It makes contracts that promise to find this property unenforceable if they are signed within 24 months of the property being reported to the state. For agreements signed after that 24-month window, the law requires that fees be capped at 10% of the property's value, the contract be in writing, and the owner be clearly informed that they can claim the property for free from the general treasurer. Additionally, the agreement must detail the property's value and the owner's final share after any fees are deducted, while also allowing owners to challenge fees they consider excessive. These changes directly affect individuals hired to locate unclaimed assets and the owners of those assets.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands a tax exemption for redevelopment properties to include the city of Central Falls, joining Providence and Pawtucket in this policy. Under the new rule, real property acquired by redevelopment agencies in Central Falls would not be taxed unless the city council specifically passes an ordinance to impose taxes on it. The legislation directly affects redevelopment projects in Central Falls by potentially reducing the financial burden on properties used for community revitalization efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the State of Rhode Island's condolences for the death of Katherine Lockwood Hayslip of Cumberland. The bill honors her life by noting her background as an educated professional who worked as a cataloger at Brown University and her role as a devoted mother and community member. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to her son, Noah Hayslip, and his partner, Diana Richard.

Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.

Establishes Children's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide finance assistance to families for medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance contract.

Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's medical care and treatment shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission.

Changes the name of The College Crusade Scholarship to the Onward We Learn Scholarship and provide that those scholarships would not be considered federal or financial aid with regard to the Promise Scholarship or Hope Scholarship Pilot Program.

Maddy summarySB 2172 proposes to increase the minimum property tax exemption for veterans in Rhode Island from $1,000 to $6,000. This change would apply to individuals who served honorably in various U.S. military conflicts, as well as their unmarried widows or widowers. The bill allows local towns to set their own exemption amounts, which often exceed the state minimum, and it clarifies how the exemption is applied to a veteran's real and personal property.

Requires grocery stores to specifically limit the number of self-service checkout units to six (6) units per location. The consumer protection unit of the department of attorney general would have authority to enforce these restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally expresses condolences to the family of Tammy M. Lamberto Roy following her death. It acknowledges her life as a special education teacher, a dedicated mother, grandmother, and community member who passed away after a long battle with cancer. The bill authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Noel Roy, Jr. and his family.