Sen. Pete Appollonio

Maddy summarySB 2216 would require all school employees with regular student contact to undergo comprehensive background checks. It mandates applicants to provide 20 years of employment history at schools or child-contact roles, along with written authorization for employers to disclose records. Applicants must answer specific questions about past child abuse or sexual misconduct investigations, and schools must verify this information through direct contact with previous employers. The bill includes penalties for false disclosures (up to $500 civil fines) but is currently proposed legislation introduced in the Rhode Island Senate (2026-01-23).

Maddy summarySB 2490 allows Rhode Island residents applying for or renewing hunting or fishing licenses to be automatically registered to vote, with the option to decline. The Department of Environmental Management will offer voter registration forms simultaneously with license applications, ensuring the same assistance level as for licenses, and protects privacy by keeping declined registrations confidential. Completed forms must be sent electronically to the state voter system within one business day, and applicants must be U.S. citizens to register. This process mirrors existing automatic voter registration at the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the RI Public Transit Authority to continue services, hire and train more bus operators, and implement the State's Act on Climate goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island's Law Enforcement Officers' Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act to modify how legal fees are handled during disciplinary hearings. It allows the chairperson of a hearing committee to appoint legal counsel for the committee upon written request from both the law enforcement agency and the accused officer, with each party responsible for paying 50% of the legal fees unless they agree otherwise. The legislation also clarifies definitions for key terms and specifies the composition of hearing committees, which must include a retired judge, a practicing attorney, and three law enforcement officers selected from a certified pool. These changes apply to permanently employed police officers, state police officers, and certain other law enforcement employees, excluding department chiefs and highest-ranking officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from asking for money or other donations while standing or sitting in a crosswalk, intersection, or safety zone. The law applies to all people within the state but excludes toll collectors on municipal or state roads. Violations could result in fines ranging from $250 to $500, community service hours, or up to one year in prison for repeat offenses, with judges also having the option to order counseling. The legislation aims to keep pedestrian areas clear and safe by preventing solicitation activities in these specific locations.

Maddy summarySB 2712 authorizes state police to enforce local city or town rules (municipal ordinances) that only impose civil penalties, such as fines. This directly affects municipalities, which can now have state police handle enforcement of their civil-level rules, and state police, who gain this new enforcement authority. The key provision limits this authority to ordinances without criminal penalties - meaning no jail time or criminal charges would be involved. The bill does not change existing criminal enforcement powers or create new penalties. (Bill number: SB 2712; Introduced: 2026-02-27)

Mandates arming campus police at public higher educational institutions and would include campus police in the definition of "law enforcement officer" for the purposes of the "law enforcement officers' bill of rights".

Makes it a felony for any person required to register as a sex offender to live within three hundred feet (300’) of a school as defined in § 11-37.1-2.

Maddy summarySB 2640 would establish a new type of tax-advantaged savings account designed for unexpected major expenses like natural disasters or serious medical emergencies. The bill creates a legal framework for these "catastrophe savings accounts," allowing taxpayers to contribute funds under specific state tax rules. It would directly affect individuals who qualify to open such accounts for emergency expenses. The bill was introduced to the Senate Commerce committee on February 27, 2026, and remains in the early stages of consideration.

Maddy summarySB 2204 clarifies definitions and prohibits deceptive practices specifically in insurance claim handling, directly affecting policyholders, insureds, and businesses making insurance claims. It defines key terms like "claimant," "insurance claim handling services," and "unfair or deceptive acts," explicitly banning tactics such as misrepresenting repairs, hiding rebate terms, or falsely advertising claim resolutions. The bill requires insurers and claim handlers to provide transparent information about claim processes and pricing, such as separately stating labor costs or disclosing repair defects. These changes aim to increase accountability in how insurers process claims, reducing misleading practices that impact consumers during the claims experience.