Sen. Bridget Valverde

Maddy summarySB 2452 allocates $100,000 in the 2026-2027 budget to support mental health and emotional well-being for children in out-of-school time (OST) programs serving K-12 students across Rhode Island. The bill provides funds for staff training in trauma-informed practices, peer support groups, culturally responsive materials, and wellness-focused activities within community-based after-school and summer programs. Eligible programs must use funds flexibly to address local needs while prioritizing high-need communities and geographic diversity. The Rhode Island Afterschool Network will administer the grants through a competitive process and submit annual reports on program reach and outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "employee" under Rhode Island's Fair Employment Practices law to include individuals working in domestic service, such as nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers employed by private households. By making this change, the bill ensures that domestic workers are protected against discrimination based on age, sex, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in the same way as other employees. The legislation applies to employers who hire four or more individuals, though it maintains existing exemptions for religious organizations and their employees. This update removes the previous exclusion of domestic workers from state anti-discrimination protections, bringing them under the same legal framework as other workers.

Ensures any public school with available seats, after completion of the initial enrollment period for students, shall make all open seats available to other students residing within the same school district.

Maddy summarySB 2032 prohibits health insurance plans in Rhode Island from requiring patients to pay copays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic or supplemental breast examinations. It specifically covers exams used to evaluate abnormalities (diagnostic) or screen for breast cancer in high-risk individuals (supplemental), based on medical history or risk factors. The law applies to all group and individual health insurance plans, including those offered by health maintenance organizations and nonprofit health corporations. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, ensuring these exams are fully covered without cost-sharing for enrollees.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 2354) requests the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to end a cost-sharing mechanism for gas line extensions in Rhode Island Energy's tariffs. Currently, all gas customers pay for new connections to the gas system through a "gas line extension allowance," which the resolution argues locks in long-term gas infrastructure conflicting with climate goals. The request specifically targets Docket 25-45-GE, where Rhode Island Energy is proposing rate adjustments, and asks the PUC to eliminate this allowance as part of those changes. The resolution directly affects all gas customers by removing a shared cost for new infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution creates a fifteen-member special legislative commission to study how Rhode Island can better educate and retain primary care providers like doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The commission will include representatives from medical schools, professional associations, community health centers, and local nonprofits, and it will produce annual reports on access to care and the state's medical education resources. Members serve without pay and will submit their findings and recommendations directly to the President of the Senate. The bill addresses the current shortage of primary care providers in the state by establishing a formal group to investigate workforce challenges and propose solutions.

Maddy summarySB 2444 exempts scalp hair prosthetics or wigs necessary due to medical hair loss from state sales tax. This directly affects individuals with medical conditions requiring such prosthetics, making them more affordable. The bill amends the sales tax code to explicitly include "prosthetic devices" under tax-exempt medical items, aligning with existing exemptions for similar durable medical equipment. The change creates a clear policy update to reduce financial burden for this specific medical need.

Maddy summarySB 2010 requires health insurers in Rhode Island to disclose how they use artificial intelligence (AI) to manage claims and coverage decisions, particularly for denials of medically necessary care. Insurers must document AI-driven decisions for five years, report system details to regulators, and ensure licensed healthcare providers review and approve any AI-related denial of medically necessary care before finalizing it. The bill mandates transparency about AI models, training data, and performance metrics, while requiring annual reports to the governor and legislature on insurer AI usage. This directly affects health insurers, enrollees (policyholders), and healthcare providers involved in coverage decisions.

Allows an owner or owners of real property to execute a deed that names one or more beneficiaries who will obtain title to the property at the owner's death without the necessity of probate.

Requires the state, and private insurers that cover prescription hormone therapy, to dispense twelve (12) months’ worth of the prescription as a single prescription.