Sen. Andrew Dimitri

Maddy summarySB 568 requires all school buses in the state to be equipped with video monitoring systems starting in 2027 for new buses and 2032 for all buses. These systems must capture live video, license plates, time, date, and location of traffic violations involving school buses. The law mandates that the systems produce recorded evidence meeting specific standards for use in issuing traffic citations. Violations are processed through traffic tribunals with fines allocated 75% to the vendor, 40% to the state general fund, and 30% to the local municipality. This directly affects school bus operators, municipalities, and vehicle owners who violate school bus stop laws.

Empowers the division of motor vehicles to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

Maddy summarySB 125 sets the state's minimum wage at $16 per hour starting January 1, 2026, and increases it to $17 per hour starting January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects all covered employers and hourly workers in the state who are subject to minimum wage laws. The legislation amends the existing minimum wage schedule by adding these specific future rates, building on previous annual increases. The change takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature, as confirmed by the bill's recent passage and signing on June 24, 2025.

Prohibits an individual who is licensed as both a Rhode Island real estate agent and mortgage loan originator to be compensated for both the sale of the property and the origination or referral of the loan in securing the property.

Provides an exemption for certain incarcerated persons from the payment of fees for a first request for vital statistics from the department of health.

Requires the department of administration to provide a list of certified minority and women-owned business enterprises to each prospective contractor of a construction project.

Maddy summarySB 950 creates a new felony offense for attempting to kidnap a minor. It defines this as taking any action toward kidnapping a minor (as defined in existing law) but failing to complete the act. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. This law directly affects individuals who take steps toward kidnapping a minor but do not succeed in completing the crime.

Requires certified athletic trainers to be trained in the administration of epinephrine auto-injectors (epi-pens) and would require such professionals to be equipped with the medication while performing professional activities.

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.

Maddy summarySB 318 establishes new procedures for Rhode Island to procure energy infrastructure, including transmission for nuclear power, large-scale hydroelectric power, and renewable resources like offshore wind. It authorizes state agencies and utilities to jointly issue competitive solicitations for regional transmission projects and natural gas pipeline capacity to improve energy reliability and security for ratepayers. The bill requires cost-benefit analyses for ratepayer impacts and mandates public utility commission review before binding commitments are made. This affects electric and gas utilities, ratepayers, and regional energy planning entities by creating a structured process for evaluating infrastructure projects.