Sen. Pam Lauria

Maddy summarySB 215 increases the minimum cash wage for tipped workers (like restaurant servers) from $3.89 to $6.75 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects employees in restaurants, hotels, and similar service industries who rely on tips as part of their income, excluding taxicab drivers. The bill sets a new hourly cash wage floor that employers must pay, ensuring tipped workers earn at least $6.75/hour without relying on tip deductions. This change follows a phased increase schedule, raising the current $3.89 floor by $2.86 over time. The law applies to all qualifying employers in these industries and takes effect upon passage.

Provides that the early intervention program for developmentally disabled infants be under the jurisdiction of the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS).

Establishes a task force managed by the children’s cabinet to develop recommendations to improve access to early intervention and early childhood special education services.

Maddy summarySB 193 requires health insurance plans (including group plans and individual policies) to cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment on the same terms as physical health care. Key provisions include banning annual or lifetime dollar limits, ensuring cost-sharing (like copays) matches primary care, and prohibiting stricter restrictions (such as prior authorizations) for mental health services. The bill mandates insurers to use established clinical standards - like those from the American Society of Addiction Medicine - to determine coverage levels. This directly affects all insured individuals seeking mental health or addiction treatment, ensuring parity in coverage with medical conditions.

Allows an individual, who is a first-time homebuyer, to contribute funds to a first- time homebuyers saving account with Rhode Island Housing to pay for eligible costs to purchase a home.

Imposes a non-owner occupied property tax on residential properties assessed in excess of eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) at variable rates dependent on values assessed by local tax assessors.

Provides for a residency requirement of at least six (6) months rather than one year for the Rhode Island family court to have jurisdiction over a divorce complaint.

Maddy summarySB 340 adds the purchase of animals from breeders to the list of taxable sales subject to the state's 6% sales tax. This directly affects breeders selling animals and buyers purchasing them, as they must now pay the tax on these transactions. The bill amends the sales tax law to explicitly include animal purchases, aligning them with other taxable retail sales. It takes effect upon passage without altering existing tax rates for other goods or services.

Requires all state licensed healthcare facilities to convert the powering of their operations from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. DOH promulgates rules and regulations to implement the requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses condolences on the passing of Rufina Delizo Rice, wife of former Rhode Island Representative Michael Rice. It directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to Michael Rice and his family. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy provisions or direct impact beyond honoring her life and legacy. The resolution was unanimously passed by the Rhode Island Senate on February 11, 2025.