Makes revisions to the number, timing, and procedures to be followed when schools grades K through 12 implement fire drills, evacuation drills, and crisis response drills, designed to protect the health and safety of students.
Would extend the reporting and expiration dates, and amend the commission’s purpose to include glass and aluminum products, and increase the membership to twenty (20), and would report back by April 25, 2025, and expire on April 30, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program in Rhode Island to track energy use and set performance standards for large commercial and residential buildings with at least 25,000 square feet. It requires these buildings to be benchmarked for energy efficiency and mandates that new construction be designed to support electric systems. The Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council will oversee the program, which includes providing an online tool for owners to improve efficiency and collecting anonymized data to monitor progress toward net-zero emissions.
Provides minor technical changes, including an update to the membership of the state planning council to include the secretary of housing or designee, and provides clarifying language relating to the role of the technical committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the existing special license plate program for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation by adding a $10 annual surcharge to renewal fees. While the initial cost to obtain these plates remains $40, the new recurring charge is directed entirely to the foundation to support its breast cancer awareness and health education missions. To receive these funds, the foundation must provide an annual audit prepared by a certified public accountant and ensure that any money raised from Rhode Island residents is spent within the state. The changes apply to all future renewals of the special plates and will become active six months after the law is signed.
Prohibits the charging of any fees to a senior citizen who is 65 years of age or older for a hard-copy paper bill, invoice or statement. The violation of this provision would be a deceptive trade practice subject to a $500 fine.
Adds "loose material" to the contents of a vehicle that must be covered by a covering that must remain in place until the vehicle's contents are purged from the vehicle.
Establishes a medical debt relief program, to be administered by the general treasurer for the purchase, cancellation and forgiveness of medical debts, based upon certain conditions.
Establishes, as an affirmative defense to the crimes of circulating obscene publications or shows and selling or exhibiting obscene publications to minors, the person’s employment status as an employee of a school, museum, or library.
Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.
