Allows a pregnant member or member that has given birth in the past six (6) months to appear remotely and permits any member that participates in a meeting remotely to vote at that meeting, provided that the meeting is held in person.
Allows faith-based organizations to develop affordable housing on land they own provided at least 50 % of the housing to be developed is low- or moderate-income housing and the land is owned or held in trust by the faith-based organizations.
Establishes the Medicaid fee-for-service reimbursement rates set by the general assembly as the rate floor for Medicaid managed care by home care, home nursing care and hospice providers.
Authorizes and fund the painting of a portrait of the president of the senate and former presidents of the senate to be hung in the senate lounge or thereabouts.
Removes the mandatory certification for an individual 16 years or older who was found delinquent for having committed 2 offenses after the age of 16 which would render the person subject to an indictment if the person was an adult.
Extends reporting and expiration dates of special legislative commission to study and provides recommendations for potential changes in legislation/oversight of Act on Climate from 5/1/2026, to 10/1/2026, and said commission expires on 11/1/2026.
Maddy summarySB 2612 amends Rhode Island's open meetings law to allow advisory bodies (non-decision-making groups like commissions or committees) to participate in public meetings via videoconferencing under specific conditions. It permits remote participation for members with disabilities who cannot attend physically, requiring approval from the Governor's Commission on Disabilities and ensuring clear audio/video for all participants. The bill also specifically authorizes University of Rhode Island board members to join meetings remotely if audio/video clarity and quorum requirements are met. These changes apply only to approved scenarios and do not alter the requirement for meetings to remain open to the public.
Exempts individual retirement accounts as a countable resource for public assistance. This act also prohibits the state as a creditor against an ABLE account in the event of death of a beneficiary.
Maddy summarySB 2084 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for nursing facility residents from $75 to $100. This change directly affects residents in state-licensed nursing homes by providing them with an additional $25 per month for personal expenses like toiletries or minor comforts. The bill amends Section 40-8-2(7)(v) of the General Laws to update this allowance amount. It will take effect on July 1, 2026. The policy change is a straightforward adjustment to existing funding without altering eligibility or other program requirements.
Provides that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education would direct all local education agencies to select one of the identified high-quality curricula and materials for science and technology no later than June 30, 2027.
