Bills nonprofit colleges and universities in the city of Providence for municipal services if they do not reach a memorandum of agreement with the city for increased payments.
Establishes a statewide “Healthy School Meals for all” universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years.
Provides funding to establish a dual language program within the department of elementary and secondary education. It also describe how to implement he Support and Access to Bilingual Education “SABE Act” for all Local Education Agencies “LEA” recipients.
Authorizes the office of postsecondary commissioner to expand bilingual and dual language teacher certificates in urban schools through two scholarship programs for students and teachers, with eligibility requirements and donations.
Maddy summarySB 104 establishes a permanent Compost Fund funded by a $2-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposal in Rhode Island. This surcharge, collected quarterly from waste haulers and landfill operators, will support grants for projects that reduce landfill use - such as composting programs, food rescue initiatives, and shell recovery. The bill directly affects waste disposal companies (who pay the surcharge) and will fund communities and organizations developing composting infrastructure, organic waste diversion, and soil health projects. It aims to address Rhode Island's landfill capacity concerns (projected to fill by 2043) while supporting climate and environmental goals outlined in the state's 2021 Climate Act.
Establishes a statewide “Healthy School Meals for all” universal school breakfast and lunch program in Rhode Island public schools phased in over 3 years
Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.
Mandates all insurance contracts, plans or policies provide insurance coverage for the expense of diagnosing and treating infertility, for women between the ages of 25 and 42 years including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in conjunction with IVF.
Caps delinquent tax interest rate at 12%. Prohibits audits beyond 3 years from date of tax filing, 7 years for fraudulent filings, and in no event beyond 10 years from date of filing or required filing date, whichever is later.
Maddy summarySB 693 proposes to expand eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs, which help low-income seniors and people with disabilities pay for Medicare costs. The bill increases the income limit for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program to 125% of the federal poverty line, enabling more individuals to receive assistance with Medicare Part A and B premiums, deductibles, and co-payments. It also sets an income limit for the Qualified Individual (QI) program between 125% and 168% of the federal poverty line, assisting these individuals with Medicare Part B premiums. Enrollment in these programs automatically provides additional help with prescription drug costs. The Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services is tasked with implementing these changes.
