Sen. Bridget Valverde

Maddy summarySB 829 expands Rhode Island's temporary caregiver insurance program to include bone marrow transplant donors and living organ donors as eligible beneficiaries. This means employees taking time off work to donate bone marrow or an organ can now receive wage replacement benefits under the state's temporary disability insurance program. The bill amends existing eligibility criteria to add these donors as a covered category, alongside caregivers for seriously ill family members. Benefit limits gradually increase over time, reaching up to eight weeks per year starting in 2026. The law directly affects workers who are organ or bone marrow donors needing time off for this purpose.

Requires the department of health to incorporate information about dementia risk factors and reduction into public education and healthcare provider education materials.

Extends coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome by removing the sunset date of December 31, 2025, and mandating such coverage.

Establishes a rare disease advisory council within the department of health to provide guidance and recommendations to educate healthcare providers and the citizens of the state.

Maddy summarySB 483 (Pharmacy Refill Bill) allows pharmacists to dispense a one-time refill of essential medications for up to 100 days under specific conditions. It directly affects patients who cannot reach their prescriber for a refill and pharmacists managing medication continuity. The bill permits refills only for non-controlled substances (excluding Schedule II-V drugs) needed for life-sustaining or chronic conditions, where stopping treatment could cause health risks, and requires pharmacists to notify the prescriber within seven business days. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and aims to prevent treatment interruptions without prescriber authorization.

Maddy summarySB 263 requires most health insurance plans in the state to cover mobile mental health crisis response and stabilization services for children and teens under 18. These services, delivered by certified providers, address acute issues like self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or severe anxiety through immediate on-site support and follow-up care. The coverage mandate applies to individual/group health, hospital, and medical expense insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes policies like accident-only, Medicare supplements, or limited-benefit plans. Insurers must cover these services without delaying access through utilization review processes.

Prohibits any health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, manufacturer or other third-party payor from discriminating against any 340B entity participating in a drug discount program.

Prohibits the declawing of cats by any surgical procedure to amputate or modify a portion of a cat's paw in order to remove the cat's claws. Does not apply to any procedure performed for a therapeutic purpose.

Permit the town of East Greenwich to deny issuance or renewal of licenses or permits for properties on which the taxes and/or assessments are in arrears.

Requires every college in RI to train staff members in the student residential department, including RAs, to administer of opioid antagonists with protection from liability and prosecution.