Creates multiple chapters to provide and establish a comprehensive program for extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, and for recycling of beverage containers.
Expands the obligations of employers to create, maintain and retain their employees' personnel records, it requires that records be retained for at least 3 years after employee's termination. It also increases the financial penalties for each violation.
Maddy summarySB 2078, the School Libraries Act, requires every public school in Rhode Island (including traditional schools, charters, and vocational schools) to have a permanent library space and a certified school librarian. It mandates that schools with 250+ students have a full-time librarian by 2027 (high schools), 2029 (middle/high schools), and 2031 (all K-12), while smaller schools must have at least half-time coverage. The bill specifies that libraries must include adequate book collections, student study space, technology, and daily student access, with librarians available during open library time. It also defines key terms like "information literacy" and "media literacy" to guide implementation. The law would take effect upon passage.
Requires employers to protect employees from extreme temperatures through rest breaks, PPE, training, and equipment, and mandates quarterly supervisor training, to recognize and mitigate heat- and cold-related risks.
Maddy summarySB 2458 requires the state to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by July 1, 2026, enabling out-of-state doctors to practice telemedicine in the state. This directly affects patients seeking telemedicine services and healthcare providers licensed in other states who wish to offer remote care. The bill adds a new telemedicine chapter (23-104-1) specifying that patients may receive telemedicine services, including from out-of-state providers, under the compact. It mandates the Department of Health and Insurance Commissioner to create necessary rules for implementation.
Establishes a digital electronics right to repair, which allows for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2026, to be repaired at an independent repair provider.
Maddy summarySB 2135 repeals a law that previously prevented people from gaining legal rights to footways (sidewalks or pedestrian paths) through long-term, continuous use without permission. This change would allow property owners or neighbors to potentially claim footway access rights by meeting standard adverse possession requirements, removing the prior exception for carriage access. The bill directly affects property owners involved in disputes over sidewalk access or easements, enabling new legal pathways for resolving such claims.
Maddy summarySB 2390 reclassifies certain gift card fraud offenses as theft (larceny), directly affecting gift card holders and those who commit fraud against them. It makes it a crime to steal or alter gift cards or their redemption information with intent to defraud, imposing fines up to $1,000 or one year in jail for amounts under $1,500. For offenses exceeding $1,500 or recurring within six months, standard larceny penalties apply. The bill defines key terms like "cardholder" and "forgery" to clarify these offenses. This changes penalties from civil fines to criminal charges for significant fraud.
Requires that any covered entity that develops/provides online services, products, or features that children are reasonably likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing/developing such online service, product, or feature.
Requires agencies preparing economic impact statements for small businesses contain findings that the anticipated compliance costs of a proposed rule scale proportionally with the business size, and do not impose fixed costs that favor larger businesses.
