Sen. Andrew Dimitri

Maddy summarySB 409 modifies Rhode Island's personal income tax calculation for residents. It adds certain income types to taxable income, including nonqualified withdrawals from college savings plans (like funds used for non-educational expenses) and forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans exceeding $250,000. It also allows a deduction of up to $500 (or $1,000 for joint filers) for contributions to Rhode Island's tuition savings program. The bill directly affects residents with these specific income sources or contributions, effective January 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 187 increases Rhode Island's estate tax exemption to $4 million for estates of people who die on or after January 1, 2026. This means most estates valued below $4 million will no longer owe state estate tax under this provision. The bill sets a new threshold that replaces previous lower exemptions (like $850,000 for 2010-2015 deaths) and includes future annual adjustments for inflation starting in 2027. It directly affects residents and nonresidents with estates exceeding $4 million at death after 2025.

Exempts the trade-in value of pickup trucks under eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) gross weight, used exclusively for personal use, from sales tax.

Makes all causes of action based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child not subject to any statute of limitations whether the claim has lapsed or was previously time-barred.

Maddy summarySB 1073 prohibits inmates in Rhode Island Department of Corrections custody from using force or weapons to resist lawful requests or directives from correctional officers. This law directly affects individuals already incarcerated in state facilities, specifically targeting resistance during routine facility operations. Violating this provision could result in fines up to $500, up to one year in jail, or both. The bill amends existing law to clarify that such resistance by incarcerated people is unlawful, separate from rules governing arrests by police officers. It has not yet become law, as it was referred to committee for further study.

Maddy summaryThis bill approves amendments to Rhode Island's Medicaid program under a federal waiver, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries and healthcare providers. It limits nursing facility and hospital rate increases to 2.3% (aligned with state tax revenue growth) for 2025-2026, eliminates annual home care rate increases, and removes hospital upper payment limits. The bill also establishes an interprofessional consultation program starting October 2025 and authorizes $396 million for hospital payments through Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. These changes require state plan amendments but must not increase overall program spending beyond the 2024-2025 budget. The resolution takes effect July 1, 2025.

Allows school bus drivers in Massachusetts and Connecticut who have a valid CDL license in good standing be exempt from the licensing requirements in Rhode Island to transport school children.

Requires every school district to render assistance and cooperation within its jurisdictional power to further the objects of this chapter, to wit, providing the courts with any information concerning a child as the court may require.

Authorizes and funds the painting of a portrait of the president of the senate and former presidents of the senate who may be living to be hung in the state house.

Establishes VICTIM Fund grant program to support nonprofit organizations providing victim services in Rhode Island with the state allocating $30,000,000 per year to fund the program and staffing within the department of public safety.