Sen. Lou Raptakis

Maddy summarySB 2596 requires family courts to grant post-separation visitation rights for siblings separated through adoption, foster care, or guardianship. It directly affects children in these situations and their separated siblings, ensuring they can maintain contact unless it harms a child's well-being. The bill mandates courts to approve visitation if it serves the child's best interests, there's a strong emotional bond, and parents/guardians negotiate in good faith. It also requires children aged 12+ to be heard in court and prohibits monetary damages in related disputes. The law takes effect upon passage.

Increase the net taxable estate exemption to $3,600,000 on January 1, 2027. This act would also increase the exemption by $1,000,000 on January 1, 2028 and every year thereafter until this section and the tax would sunset and expire on January 1, 2033

Maddy summarySB 2026 amends Rhode Island's personal income tax code to allow residents to subtract contributions to the state's tuition savings program from their federal adjusted gross income. This deduction is capped at $500 per individual or $1,000 for joint filers, and only applies to contributions made directly by the account participant. The bill specifically excludes transfers, rollovers, or changes of beneficiary from counting toward this deduction. It directly affects Rhode Island residents who contribute to the state's tuition savings program (Section 16-57-6.1), providing a limited tax benefit for education savings. The policy change would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.

Expands the deinstitutionalization subsidy aid program in the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals to include adoptive parent(s) or siblings(s).

Maddy summarySB 2297 extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting second-degree sexual assault from the standard 3 years to 10 years. This change directly affects victims and prosecutors in second-degree sexual assault cases, allowing charges to be filed up to a decade after the alleged incident. The bill amends existing law to explicitly list second-degree sexual assault under offenses with a 10-year prosecution window, alongside other serious crimes like homicide and rape. It does not change the definition of the crime but adjusts the time limit for legal action. The bill would take effect upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 2739 amends the process for reimbursing workers' compensation costs when a third party (such as another company or individual) is liable for an injury. It changes how employers and insurers handle reimbursements after a third party pays damages to an injured worker. This directly affects injured workers, employers, and insurance providers in cases involving third-party liability. The bill clarifies procedural steps under existing workers' compensation law without altering benefit amounts or eligibility.

Allows the holder of a manufacturer’s license to sell one-sixth of a barrel keg or any otherwise permitted vessel containing no more than the amount of malt beverage allowed.

Allows for the holder of a manufacturer’s license to be able to sell one one-sixth (1/6) barrel keg of malt beverage, produced on the premises, per day.

Requires public auctions by any city or town of real estate or an interest therein to only be done in person and not by electronic or remote procedures unless authorized by court order.

Provides measures to prevent title fraud by authorizing the recorder of deeds to require the production of a government-issued photographic identification card before recording a deed or certain other instruments.