Sen. Matt LaMountain

Maddy summarySB 2401 authorizes the city of Cranston to create a housing division within its municipal court to handle specific housing-related violations. This division would directly affect Cranston residents and property owners facing violations of local housing codes, zoning ordinances, building regulations, or minimum housing standards. The housing division can impose fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail for these violations, and appeals from its decisions would go to the superior court within 20 days. The bill specifies the exact types of housing-related violations the division can address, including zoning, housing maintenance, and state building code violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing the Warwick City Charter to give the city council a greater role in approving mayoral appointments to specific city boards and commissions. If voters approve the amendment in the 2026 election, the council would be able to pass rules requiring its consent for these appointments, with the exception of the Board of Public Safety. The bill does not change who currently holds these positions but alters the process by which future appointees are selected. Ultimately, the change requires a direct vote by Warwick residents to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. on its 50th anniversary and recognizes its long-standing contributions to mental health care in Rhode Island. The bill acknowledges the organization's growth from its founding as the Kent County Mental Health Center to its current role as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic that provides comprehensive, affordable services. It highlights Thrive's holistic approach, which combines clinical treatment with support for housing and employment to help individuals achieve stability. The resolution expresses gratitude for the organization's work and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the organization's president and CEO.

Repeals the older of the two existing chapters related to speech-language pathologists and audiologists and makes several amendments to reconcile the two statutes into one.

Increases from seven (7) days to nine (9) days the period of time in which a request for a recount of the votes cast can be made to the board of elections. No certificates of election may be issued, until the recount if any is completed.

Allows electronic notifications modernize language for notifications, synchronize renewal dates for certain license-types, streamline licensing requirements across several license-types, and update the unlicensed health care practices statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows dental hygienists to receive payment from insurance sources other than the dentist's own plan, including third-party payors like Medicare. It directly affects dental practices by expanding the types of insurance that can reimburse dental hygienists for their services. The key provision removes previous restrictions that limited reimbursement to specific insurance arrangements, enabling broader payment options for dental hygiene care. This change applies to all dental practices employing dental hygienists within the state where the bill is enacted.

Establishes the criminal offense of real estate title fraud and allows municipalities to refuse to record “suspicious documents” from persons who are not trusted submitters and creates penalties for real estate title fraud.

Ends transaction fees for school lunches in all districts. This act requires at least one no-fee payment method for school lunches and a full disclosure whether fees will be charged by a payment platform.

Allows animal control officers in the cities and towns to lawfully take charge of and provide adequate care to any animal found abandoned or neglected or hazardously accumulated and includes them as agents authorized to enforce the provisions of this law.