Sen. Mark McKenney

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" within the State of Rhode Island. The measure aims to honor police and law enforcement officers who have died while performing their duties by aligning with the national observance established by federal proclamation. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to various police organizations and associations, including the Fraternal Order of Police and the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. This action serves as a formal state recognition of the sacrifices made by law enforcement rather than implementing new laws or policies.

Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to allocate $200,000 from the state treasury to the Housing Network of Rhode Island for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are intended to support the organization's work in strengthening nonprofit housing developers, coordinating homeless service providers, and improving housing outcomes across the state. The resolution authorizes the state controller to make this payment from unappropriated funds upon receipt of proper documentation. This measure directly affects the Housing Network of Rhode Island and aims to address broader housing and homelessness challenges through increased organizational capacity.

Maddy summaryThis resolution appropriates $3,000,000 from the state treasury for fiscal year 2026-2027 to Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. (RILS), a nonprofit providing legal aid to vulnerable Rhode Islanders. The funding directly supports RILS’s work assisting low-income residents, domestic violence victims, veterans, and seniors with critical issues like housing, food security, family safety, and employment rights. The appropriation allows RILS to maintain its statewide services, which historically handle thousands of cases annually to help clients achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

Changes the community service requirements of a sentence related to the violation of § 11-44-21.1 relating to defacing private residences, offices, businesses or commercial property.

Increases the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes.

Enlarges definitions of prohibited acts that constitute hazing, make principals, coaches, athletic directors and others responsible for knowingly failing to take reasonable measures to prevent hazing and punishes serious injury.

Reinstates, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment for retirement plan year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new seven-member board of trustees to govern the Central Falls School District, replacing the current special state administrator and advisory group. The board members will be appointed by the state Board of Regents, with at least four required to be local residents and parents of current or former students in the district. Under this structure, the state commissioner of education retains significant oversight, including the power to intervene in school management if deemed necessary, while the new board handles policy-making, budget approval, and superintendent appointments. Additionally, the legislation amends state funding rules to provide direct state support for high-cost special education students and career and technical education programs.

Maddy summarySB 2042 requires the state to handle all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, except for snow and ice removal, which remains the responsibility of local entities. This bill directly affects state highway sidewalks by shifting the primary maintenance duty from local municipalities to the state government. The key provision amends existing laws to explicitly state that the state, not towns or cities, must maintain sidewalks (excluding snow/ice clearing). The bill takes effect upon passage and does not change sidewalk construction requirements, which still require state approval.