Reduces the number of years from five (5) to three (3), when calculating for retirement purposes, the average of the highest consecutive years of compensation, for teachers, and state and municipal employees.
Requires safe storage of firearms/provides civil and criminal penalties for violations/adds rifles and shotguns to the types of firearms requiring a trigger lock to be included with purchase/requires firearms dealers post signs regarding safe storage.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution creates a 21-member commission to study how Rhode Island can better train and keep primary care doctors in the state. The commission will investigate the current shortage of physicians, the strain on local clinics, and the potential for establishing a new medical school at the University of Rhode Island. Appointed by the Senate President and meeting without pay, the group will gather information from state agencies and submit its findings and recommendations by January 2, 2026. The commission is set to dissolve on January 31, 2026, after completing its report.
Maddy summaryThis bill mandates the creation of a voluntary "Blue Envelope Program" for drivers with autism spectrum disorder in Rhode Island. The Department of Motor Vehicles must develop this initiative in partnership with law enforcement leaders and disability advocates to improve communication between police officers and these drivers during traffic stops. Participation in the program is entirely optional, and the DMV will look at successful models from other states when designing the system. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.
Reduces the number of commissioners on the board of commissioners to no less than fifteen and would add a d/b/a Serve RI designation after commissions name.
Provides for an appropriation by the general assembly in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the various school districts and municipalities to employ additional social workers.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the state legislature's deepest condolences for the passing of Elena Marie Ciccone, the wife of Senator Frank A. Ciccone, III. The document honors her life by noting her career as a hairdresser and her twenty-five-year tenure with the City of Providence Parks Department, as well as her active roles in various community and religious organizations. It formally directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to the bereaved family and friends.
Establishes a seven (7) member public-private partnership infrastructure oversight commission to approve all requests for proposals submitted for public-private partnership construction of qualified facilities.
Establishes, as an affirmative defense to the crimes of circulating obscene publications or shows and selling or exhibiting obscene publications to minors, the person’s employment status as an employee of a school, museum, or library.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island's existing Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights by renaming it the Law Enforcement Officers' Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act. It directly affects permanently employed police officers, state troopers, and other sworn law enforcement employees, excluding department chiefs and top-ranking administrators. The key provisions establish a new five-member hearing committee with a mix of judges, attorneys, and officers to review complaints against officers, while also mandating that legal fees for this committee be split evenly between the agency and the accused officer. Additionally, the law requires that investigations be conducted at reasonable hours, allows officers to have legal counsel present during interrogations, and ensures officers are fully informed of the specific complaints and names of complainants before questioning begins.
