Sen. Pete Appollonio

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution congratulates students and instructors from the Warwick Area and Chariho Career and Technical Centers for winning the 2026 Rhode Island ProStart High School Competition. It recognizes the achievements of the top teams in culinary arts, foodservice management, and hospitality tourism, which will now advance to represent the state at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send official copies of the resolution to the two winning schools as a formal acknowledgment of their success.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates April 9, 2026, as "Rhode Island Home Visiting Day" to highlight the importance of home visiting services for families. The measure encourages state residents to acknowledge these programs, which connect parents with resources to promote child health and development. Additionally, the resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the proclamation to the directors of the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services.

Bans street takeovers and violators would be guilty of a felony and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and be subject to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Prohibits municipalities from restricting certain landscaping equipment based on its power source. It also prohibits any changes in the regulation of the use of power equipment in the municipality, without a positive referendum vote.

Increases the penalties for reckless driving from a misdemeanor first offense to a felony, with a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of between one thousand dollars ($1,000) and five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Amends the section of law relative to violations for driving after denial, revocation or suspension of a license and expands the list of offenses for which an unlicensed motorist would be in violation.

Maddy summarySB 2288 allows probationers serving one year or more to earn time off their probation for compliance with court conditions, but excludes those serving probation for specific offenses including murder, sexual assault, and driving under the influence causing death. Probationers without violations can earn up to 10 days per month off their sentence, with credits calculated after completing any incarceration. Violations of probation conditions stop credit accumulation and may result in the loss of previously earned credits. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Increases the penalties for a first offense of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death to a minimum 10 years in incarceration, a minimum of $10,000 and a minimum license revocation of 10 years.

Maddy summarySB 2402 increases penalties for drivers convicted of causing death or serious injury through reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs. The bill raises maximum prison sentences (e.g., from 10 to 20 years for causing death while driving recklessly), fines (e.g., from $10,000 to $20,000 for first-time DUI causing death), and license suspension periods. It also adds requirements for alcohol/drug treatment programs and longer financial responsibility proof before license reinstatement. This bill directly affects drivers convicted under sections 31-27-1, 31-27-1.1, 31-27-2.2, and 31-27-2.6 of the state’s motor vehicle laws. The bill is currently in committee (introduced January 30, 2026) and has not yet passed.

Requires employers to provide full-time employees four (4) hours of paid leave once a year to donate blood through and any approved blood donation program.