Sen. Andrew Dimitri

Maddy summarySB 2398 upgrades penalties for filing false police reports about serious crimes. It makes it a felony to falsely report a crime that carries a 5- to 20-year prison sentence (with 1-5 years in prison for conviction) or a 20+ year sentence (with 5-20 years in prison). The bill directly affects individuals who knowingly submit false reports about violent or severe offenses, such as aggravated assault or homicide. It replaces the current misdemeanor penalty with stricter felony charges based on the severity of the underlying crime falsely reported.

Expands the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate.

Authorizes the town of North Providence, if an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended.

Permits North Providence to require 2 parking spaces for each studio, 1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking is available near these units.

Requires the Rhode Island life and health insurance guarantee association to be obligated to cover a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500.000) in present value of annuity benefits, including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates March 8, 2026, as International Women's Day and the entire month of March as Women's History Month within the State of Rhode Island. The measure recognizes the historical contributions of women to Rhode Island's development and encourages citizens to learn about their achievements and support future equality initiatives. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the Governor for formal acknowledgment. The resolution serves as a commemorative observance rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Allows a modification for up to $50,000 of individual retirement account income that is included in federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year; provided that the person with individual retirement accounts has no income from pensions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Sandra Lake for her significant contributions to women and communities in Rhode Island. It recognizes her work founding the Extraordinary Woman Award and developing the Woman Development Institute, a nonprofit organization that has provided leadership training and educational support for over 25 years. The resolution acknowledges her efforts to create inclusive, bilingual programs that remove financial barriers for women, youth, and families. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Sandra Lake as formal recognition of her leadership and advocacy.

Requires the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS) to apply an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (“COLA”) to the Medicaid reimbursement rates paid for assisted living services provided pursuant to this chapter.

Maddy summarySB 3033 amends Rhode Island's zoning laws to establish inclusionary zoning requirements for developments in municipalities, mandating that at least 15% of units in qualifying projects be affordable housing for at least 30 years. The bill allows developers to meet these requirements through on-site construction, off-site development, land donations, or fee payments, with density bonuses that permit additional market-rate units for each affordable unit provided. While the legislation sets statewide standards for affordable housing inclusion, it specifically grants the town of North Providence the authority to determine its own density bonus calculations based on local zoning conditions.