Sen. Lammis Vargas

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SR 967), not a bill with policy changes. It expresses the Rhode Island Senate's condolences to families who lost loved ones in the April 8, 2025, building collapse at the Jet Set Club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which killed 184 people. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Dominican Independence and Heritage Award Committee of Rhode Island (DIHACRI). It has no legislative effect or funding provisions, solely serving as a formal expression of sympathy.

Maddy summarySB 478 amends licensing rules for midwives to expand their prescribing authority for specific medications related to maternal and infant health. Certified midwives (CNMs/CMs) would be permitted to prescribe up to 51 listed medications - including antibiotics for infections, medications for hemorrhage, prenatal vitamins, vaccines, and pain management - under oversight by the Department of Health. This directly affects licensed midwives and their patients by allowing midwives to address common health needs during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum without requiring physician referrals for these specific treatments. The bill does not change midwives' scope for complex medical conditions but formalizes existing practices for routine care. It is pending further committee review after a recent recommendation to hold it for additional study.

Provides a three thousand dollar ($3,000) stipend to a qualified applicant who successfully completes the job training program of the department of human services or department of children, youth and families.

Maddy summarySB 100 eliminates the sunset date for child care assistance for eligible child care educators and staff working at least 20 hours weekly in licensed facilities. This permanent change (previously set to expire July 2025) ensures ongoing funding for these workers to access child care while they work, directly affecting early childhood educators and staff providing services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The bill requires the department to provide this assistance without time limits, maintaining the same eligibility criteria as current programs. This policy change specifically modifies Section (k) of the Rhode Island Works Program, making a temporary provision permanent for affected child care professionals.

Establishes guidelines for the expansion of high-quality public prekindergarten education programs for children ages three (3) and four (4) to increase children’s school readiness.

Provides amendments to procedures necessary for approval of transactions between utilities by giving the public utilities commission jurisdiction; mandates public hearings, allows intervention by any interested party and provides for appeal.

Establishes a restricted receipt account for the benefit of the Rhode Island public transit authority, funded by sales taxes collected from ride-share companies, which said sales taxes would be exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.

Extends the forbearance of utility terminations for customers with serious illness certifications and would amend various provisions related to the termination of utility services for persons who are disabled, seriously ill, or in arrears.

Grants a right of first offer to qualified nonprofits for the purchase of certain multi-family residential properties at market prices, within a reasonable period of time to promote the creation and preservation of affordable rental housing.

Maddy summarySB 814 makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly file a false complaint about misconduct by law enforcement officers, public safety officials, or hospital staff. The bill penalizes individuals who submit false reports with up to one year in jail, a $500 fine, and mandatory restitution to the falsely accused person for damages. It specifically targets false reports filed with the intent that they be relied upon by authorities, covering both criminal reports and official misconduct complaints. The bill is currently in committee (held for further study after a March 2025 hearing) and would take effect upon passage.