Sen. Matt LaMountain

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 760) ceremonially celebrates the 4th Annual "RI Craft Beer Week" (March 7-16, 2025) in Rhode Island, recognizing the craft beer industry's economic contributions. It cites the industry's growth (50 breweries, $876M in annual wages, 7,161 jobs) and community impact without creating new laws or affecting any regulations. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the RI Brewers Guild Executive Director. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect or direct impact on businesses, residents, or policy.

Adds definitions to prohibition of hazing, make coaches and others responsible for knowingly failing to take reasonable measures to prevent hazing and would punish serious bodily injury by up to ten (10) years in imprisonment.

Maddy summarySB 728 requires family courts to establish court-ordered visitation rights between siblings separated through adoption, foster care placement, or guardianship. It directly affects children who are placed in adoptive, foster, or guardianship situations and separated from their siblings. The law mandates courts to grant these visitation rights if they determine it serves the children’s best interests, there is a significant emotional bond between siblings, and all parties (including birth parents and guardians) negotiate in good faith. The court must consider the child’s input if they are 12 or older, and agencies like child protective services must recommend visitation unless safety risks exist. This replaces ad-hoc arrangements with a standardized court process for maintaining sibling connections.

Requires commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail establishment locations when new construction are being done and permits insurers to consider the installation to provide a discount on the owner's insurance policy.

Amends §§ 14-1-3 and 14-5-8, relating to possession of marijuana and proceedings in family court ensuring that children under 17 years of age in possession of less than 2 oz of marijuana are subject to the jurisdiction of the family court.

Adds probation officers and parole officers to the definition of "police officer" for purposes of salary payments during line of duty illness or injury.

Maddy summarySB 665 expands Rhode Island's crime victim compensation program to include hit-and-run victims who suffer serious bodily injury. The bill amends the law by adding a new category (section 19) specifically covering "failure to stop by a driver in circumstances which result in serious bodily injury." This change directly affects victims of hit-and-run crashes where injury occurs, making them eligible for financial assistance previously unavailable under the existing program. The law takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 466 changes how Massachusetts pays nursing facilities for Medicaid services. It replaces the current cost-based payment system with a new method that adjusts rates based on patient care needs (acuity), facility occupancy, and inflation. Crucially, 80% of certain annual rate increases must be used to raise wages for direct-care staff like nurses and aides (excluding exempt employees and contracted workers), with facilities required to certify compliance annually. This applies to all nursing facilities serving Medicaid patients under both fee-for-service and managed care programs.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 596), not a substantive bill. It formally expresses the Rhode Island Senate's deepest condolences to the Box family following the passing of Dr. Joseph J. Box. The resolution specifically directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to Dr. Box's children. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any policies or individuals beyond this expression of sympathy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 597) formally recognizes March 8, 2025, as "International Women’s Day" and the entire month of March 2025 as "Women’s History Month" within Rhode Island. It is a ceremonial resolution with no policy or funding changes, intended solely to honor women’s contributions. The resolution cites historical Rhode Island women and global observances to support this recognition. It was passed by the Rhode Island Senate on March 4, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to notify the Governor.