Sen. Hanna Gallo

Prohibits an educational institution or school district from accessing or using location data for tracking a student's institutional device or personal device, except in limited circumstances.

Develops standards of civics education in grades K-12 teaching history in the state of Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship, principals of democracy, and media literacy.

Maddy summarySB 633 requires schools in Rhode Island to report the names and reasons for terminating noncredentialled staff (like cafeteria workers or aides without teaching licenses) for valid cause to the state education department within 60 days. The department will maintain a confidential list of these terminations, updated monthly, which only school hiring authorities (not the public) can access. This applies to terminations for cause - not nonrenewals or budget cuts - and excludes licensed staff like teachers, coaches, and administrators. The list is not a public record, and the bill takes effect upon passage.

Includes the definition of "primary care services" and requires that all biennial reports shall include a review and recommendation of rates for primary care services on and after September 1, 2025.

Requires homeowner’s insurance providers to provide two months’ notice before increasing any policy more that 20%. Also caps rate increases for policy holders that are 65 years of age or older and meet certain income limits.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 837) symbolically declares March 2025 as "Arts in the Schools Month" in Rhode Island. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but urges all citizens to recognize and support arts educators, artists, and administrators who provide arts education in schools. The resolution cites the value of arts learning for student skills like critical thinking and cultural competency, aligning with national arts education organizations. It directs the Secretary of State to certify the resolution to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.

Maddy summarySB 539 amends filing fees required to appeal certain district court decisions. It mandates a $50 attorney fee for all civil appeals (paid to the opposing party's lawyer) plus a $75 filing fee (including processing and technology fees), with a minimum $25 in other costs. Landlord-tenant cases get a longer 5-day appeal window (including weekends/holidays) versus the standard 2-day window for other civil appeals. The changes apply to all parties appealing district court judgments and take effect January 1, 2026.

Requires commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail establishment locations when new construction are being done and permits insurers to consider the installation to provide a discount on the owner's insurance policy.

Requires each healthcare entity/network plan to compile/report to health insurance commissioner a summary of how the healthcare entity/network plan requires its contracted providers to submit claims for in-network outpatient behavioral health services.

Provides that the early intervention program for developmentally disabled infants be under the jurisdiction of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS).