Removes the intent requirement relative to the definitions of "abuse" within the chapter on "abuse in healthcare facilities" and amends the definitions of "abuse" and "neglect" with regard to elderly affairs by deleting the element of willful conduct.
Requires that insurance policies for property damage, personal injuries, and indemnification other than payment of compensation for workers compensation, state policy limits and no amount of the policy may be used to pay costs to defend a claim.
Provides that for purposes of all civil actions, the fair and reasonable charge for certain medical and dental services is the amount billed by the licensed healthcare provider.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to repeal the collateral source rule specifically for medical malpractice cases. Currently, this rule allows defendants to introduce evidence showing that a patient has received or will receive benefits from sources like health insurance or workers' compensation, which can then be used to reduce the damages awarded by a jury. If passed, the law would no longer permit defendants to present this financial information to the jury, thereby preventing any reduction of the final damage award based on those external payments. The change would directly affect licensed physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who currently rely on this rule during litigation.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow plaintiffs in civil lawsuits to seek punitive damages if a defendant engages in willful, wanton, or reckless conduct that disregards the safety and welfare of others. The legislation defines such conduct as actions where the defendant knew or should have known the behavior was dangerous, yet proceeded heedlessly without regard for the rights or safety of people who might be harmed. Directly affecting individuals involved in civil cases, the measure would enable courts to award additional financial penalties beyond standard compensation when evidence proves the defendant's behavior met these specific criteria. The changes would become effective immediately upon the bill's passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to apply Rhode Island's existing state usury laws to litigation lending agreements, which are contracts where third parties provide money to people involved in lawsuits in exchange for repayment from the lawsuit's settlement or judgment. By reclassifying these financial arrangements as loans, the legislation aims to cap the effective interest rates charged to litigants, preventing them from paying rates that often exceed 100% annually. The measure specifically targets the total amount a litigant must repay compared to what they received, regardless of how the contract labels the fees or whether the repayment depends on winning the case. If passed, this change would directly affect companies that fund legal cases and the individuals who sign agreements with them, ensuring such deals comply with standard state lending regulations.
Requires any contractor performing construction or maintenance for RIDOT, RITBA or any other construction on any state roads have in place an attenuator truck/crash truck with an operational camera.
Includes the governor's commission on disabilities in the decision making process for the disability parking enforcement enhancement program and requires an annual report be submitted to the governor's commission.
Establishes a restricted receipt account at the DLT for hospitality industry workforce training grants, funded by an annual $50 dollar fee to be charged by RIDOH to food service establishments.
Requires anyone engaged in the sale of goods or services, and who offers a discount to its customers’ for utilizing automatic payment systems, via ACH or EFT or similar payment systems, provide the same discount to any person who is sixty-five (65).
