Sen. Pete Appollonio

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Rhode Island's state education department and high school sports league to create a statewide anti-hazing policy for student athletics. It mandates clear definitions of hazing, zero-tolerance sanctions (including team suspensions or season cancellations), and education components to prevent hazing. All schools in the state participating in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League must follow this policy, which also requires student-athletes to sign an acknowledgment of the rules before joining teams. The policy explicitly states that consent is never a defense for hazing and ensures consistent discipline across all schools. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 2453 allows cities and towns to create programs waiving interest on overdue property taxes for commercial properties. To qualify, taxpayers must own the commercial property for five years, provide written proof of timely tax payments for five years, and request the waiver within two years of the overdue bill. The waiver is capped at $500 per request, and local tax collectors must issue written decisions with appeal options to city councils. This bill enables local governments to adopt ordinances implementing this relief, directly affecting commercial property owners who fall behind on quarterly tax payments.

Establishes the commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection and cleaning licensing and certification act. Requires entities inspecting or cleaning commercial exhaust systems to be licensed and insured.

Maddy summarySB 2130 requires the state board of elections to publish all write-in votes online, regardless of whether the candidate is qualified or if the votes could affect election results. It mandates that local election boards adjudicate write-in votes in races where the total could impact outcomes, and the state board must publish these adjudicated votes along with all write-in votes cast, including those with fewer than five votes. This applies to all federal, state, and local races, ensuring transparency in how write-in votes are processed and reported. The bill changes existing rules by requiring mandatory public disclosure of all write-in ballots, not just those affecting election margins.

Prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation.

Maddy summarySB 2150 requires creditors to send written notice of a judgment lien to the property owner within ten business days of recording the lien with the county. This directly affects creditors who place liens on property and property owners who may be unaware of such claims against their assets. The key provision sets a strict 10-business-day timeline for delivering this notice, replacing the previous lack of a specific deadline. The bill aims to provide clearer and timelier information about liens affecting property ownership.

Maddy summarySB 2182 removes the fee for drivers education classes at Rhode Island's community colleges for youth living in foster or adoptive homes. This directly affects young people in these care settings who would otherwise pay the standard fee to complete required driver's education. The bill's key provision exempts these individuals from the fee requirement, making the program more accessible. This change reduces a financial barrier to obtaining driver's education, which is a prerequisite for a driver's license in Rhode Island.

Maddy summarySB 2424 mandates radon testing and mitigation protocols for most residential real estate transactions starting on June 1, 2027. The bill requires a certified radon test to be conducted no earlier than one year before closing, with results shared between buyers, sellers, and lenders. If unsafe radon levels are detected, the law requires a licensed professional to install a mitigation system before the sale finalizes, or place the estimated cost in escrow if immediate installation isn't possible. Certain sales, such as foreclosures, inherited properties, or homes being demolished, are exempt from these testing requirements. Additionally, the buyer is generally responsible for paying for the test unless the seller already has a recent negative test result on file.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows children in Rhode Island with developmental disabilities to continue receiving early intervention services until September 1 if their third birthday falls between May 1 and August 31, addressing a current service gap before they transition to preschool programs. The legislation requires the state's Department of Human Services to create a plan by July 1, 2026, to implement this extension while seeking necessary federal approvals, with full implementation expected by January 1, 2028. By extending services beyond the traditional cutoff date, the bill aims to ensure uninterrupted support for children during their transition from early intervention to early childhood special education services.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies retirement benefits for Rhode Island State Police members, affecting both current and former officers. It establishes new rules for calculating retirement pay based on years of service and defines how "whole salary" is determined for different retirement periods, including provisions for overtime pay starting in 2026. The legislation also creates a guaranteed annual benefit adjustment of $1,500 for eligible retirees beginning July 1, 2026, and allows certain members to purchase credit for military service at a 10% cost.