Sen. Pam Lauria

Maddy summarySB 2794 establishes the Beverage Container Recycling Act in Rhode Island to create a new system for recycling beverage containers. The bill defines key terms such as "covered beverage container," "producer," and "consumer" to clarify who is responsible for recycling efforts and which products are included in the program. It sets up a refund program where consumers can return empty containers at designated sites to receive refunds, with provisions for both full-service redemption sites and express redemption sites that use virtual accounts. The legislation also outlines rules for fraud prevention, requires independent audits, and includes definitions for environmental justice areas and de minimis exemptions for small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation from using artificial turf to cover compacted solid waste at sanitary landfills, with an exemption for turf already installed before July 1, 2026. It also bans the use of organic materials like wood, paper, and yard waste for landfill cover unless approved as a final layer, and establishes a pilot program to test grass or plant mixes with pollinators as an alternative cover material. The Resource Recovery Corporation must submit annual reports on its activities and include data on artificial turf disposal volumes, while also reporting on the pilot program results by January 1, 2028. Facilities that violate the artificial turf prohibition face fines between $2,500 and $5,000 paid to the local city or town.

Removes the sunset provision of the Rhode Island hope pilot scholarship program, making it a permanent scholarship program and renames the program as the Rhode Island hope scholarship program.

Requires the producer of artificial turf and turf infill sold or distributed in RI to report its chain of custody, from installation to use, repurposing, recycling and disposal to the department of environmental management.

Takes several measures to lead by example by banning state purchases of plastic bottles, and requires state funds to be used to lease or purchase electric vehicles and renewable energy efficient technologies for use on state property.

Adds "media literacy" to the standards currently taught in civic education for K-12, which are the history of Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship and the principles of democracy.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit corporations and non-licensed entities from owning medical practices or controlling clinical decisions. It requires doctors licensed in Rhode Island to hold majority ownership (shares and board control) in medical practices, while banning management companies from interfering with clinical judgment or restricting doctors’ non-compete agreements. The law also prohibits management organizations from advertising clinics under their own names or entering contracts that would let them dictate staffing, billing, or patient care decisions. These provisions directly affect medical practices using management services organizations and doctors working within them. The bill has been referred to committee but is currently held for further study.

Permits licensed providers to accompany emergency medical services and treat patients within the community for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders.

Maddy summarySB 2609 requires sellers to provide written notice to buyers before selling any motor vehicle that was used in a violent crime or exposed to biohazardous contamination (such as blood, bodily fluids, human remains, or infectious materials requiring professional remediation). This applies to all vehicle sellers and directly affects buyers who might otherwise unknowingly purchase such vehicles. The bill amends deceptive trade practices law to declare failure to disclose these conditions an unfair or deceptive act. It defines biohazardous contamination broadly to include visible evidence requiring professional cleaning before safe resale.

Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.