Sen. Josh Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Transparency in Arts Education Access and Proficiency Act to increase visibility of arts programs in Rhode Island public middle and high schools. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, schools must report annually on the percentage of students enrolled in arts courses and the number of available classes in dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts. Additionally, the state may appoint arts education curriculum coordinators to assist schools with these reporting requirements, and high schools must begin submitting student portfolios demonstrating proficiency in an art form by the 2026-27 school year.

Establishes the renewable ready program and fund to promotes the responsible siting/development of renewable energy generating resources in locations where it would be an ancillary beneficial use to the redevelopment of previously contaminated property.

Mandates, as of 1/1/26, all recovery housing facilities register with department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals adhere to the National Alliance for Recovery Residences process.

Creates a protective legal shield for healthcare providers, precluding any civil/criminal action by other states/persons against healthcare providers involving persons seeking access to transgender and reproductive healthcare services provided in RI.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the expiration date set for the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which was scheduled to end on July 1, 2025. By repealing this sunset provision, the legislation ensures that the rules allowing doctors to practice in multiple states without obtaining separate licenses remain in effect indefinitely. The change directly impacts medical professionals who rely on the compact to work across state lines and the patients they serve. No new requirements or operational changes are introduced; the bill simply prevents an existing framework from automatically shutting down.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs HealthSource RI to form a working group that studies how to create a state program helping Rhode Islanders afford health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs. The group must include representatives from various sectors, such as insurance companies, healthcare providers, and consumer advocates, and it must analyze how the upcoming expiration of federal tax credits in 2025 could make coverage unaffordable for many residents. The working group is instructed to propose a plan based on a $20 million budget and to explore different ways to fund this assistance, including taxes or assessments on the health industry. Finally, the group must submit its recommendations to state leaders by January 31, 2025, to help address rising healthcare expenses for individuals in the state's individual insurance market.

Makes care recipients eligible for temporary caregiver benefits and increase the maximum temporary caregiver benefit weeks from six (6) to eight (8) weeks over of period of two years.

Amends the conditions upon which a nurse would be exempt from certain licensing requirements to include eligibility to practice, before taking and receiving results of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Creates the occupational therapy licensure compact that would allow licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice in all states that join the compact.

Prohibits healthcare entities from interfering with a patient's right to choose to obtain a clinician-administered drug from their provider or pharmacy of choice.