Sen. Lammis Vargas

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1079 designates May 12-18, 2025, as "Period Poverty Awareness Week" in Rhode Island. It supports global efforts to raise awareness about the need for accessible and affordable period products, break the stigma of menstruation, and advocate for related policy and funding.

Creates a 5 member commission to provide recommendations for legislation changes and/or oversight for the Act on Climate, and would report back by May 1, 2026, and would expire on June 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1076 recognizes May 11th through May 17th, 2025, as "National Hospital Week" in the State of Rhode Island. This resolution acknowledges and thanks Rhode Island's healthcare professionals for their dedication to providing quality health services to the community.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1078 is a procedural bill that commemorates Lao New Year, known as "Pi Mai Lao," by the State of Rhode Island Senate. It extends best wishes to the Lao people for a healthy, prosperous, and joyful new year, recognizing their cultural contributions and heritage.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to Sojourner House to support its permanent housing development program that provides safe, secure housing to individuals and families fleeing from dangerous situations.

Maddy summarySB 943 requires landlords of "large multi-family dwellings" (buildings with more than 12 units) to obtain insurance. This insurance must cover temporary housing and storage costs for tenants displaced for at least 30 days due to events like fire, flood, or natural disaster that render the building uninhabitable. The bill outlines tenant rights, including prompt notification and suitable temporary housing, and establishes penalties for non-compliant landlords, with enforcement by the Department of Business Regulation.

Maddy summarySB 824, titled the "Reproductive Freedom and Gender Affirming Care Health Data Privacy Act," establishes a new framework to protect sensitive health data. It applies to consumer health data related to reproductive or sexual health and gender-affirming care for Rhode Island residents. The bill defines what constitutes this protected "consumer health data" and "gender-affirming care information." It sets strict requirements for obtaining explicit, informed consent before collecting, processing, or transferring such data, disallowing consent through general terms or deceptive designs. This act aims to regulate how entities handle specific personal health information to ensure consumer privacy.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1069 reaffirms the friendship between the State of Rhode Island and Taiwan. It encourages the Rhode Island State Government to strengthen bilateral trade relations, including considering the possible opening of a trade office in Taiwan. The resolution also expresses support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and agreements, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week" in the State of Rhode Island. It honors police and law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, acknowledging their sacrifice.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1064 congratulates the Brown University Women's Rugby Team for winning the Women's Rugby College National Championship for the third consecutive year. It also directs the Secretary of State to transmit a copy of the resolution to the team's Head Coach, Rosalind Chou.