Mandates that EOHHS assemble a network of equity zones where local multisector groups of nonprofits, service providers, advocates, community members, state agencies, and municipalities can address social factors of health at a local level.
Sen. Bridget Valverde
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 104 establishes a permanent Compost Fund funded by a $2-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposal in Rhode Island. This surcharge, collected quarterly from waste haulers and landfill operators, will support grants for projects that reduce landfill use - such as composting programs, food rescue initiatives, and shell recovery. The bill directly affects waste disposal companies (who pay the surcharge) and will fund communities and organizations developing composting infrastructure, organic waste diversion, and soil health projects. It aims to address Rhode Island's landfill capacity concerns (projected to fill by 2043) while supporting climate and environmental goals outlined in the state's 2021 Climate Act.
Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.
Requires the EOHHS to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services.
Requires EOHHS to establish a 1-year pilot program for nutritional assistance and medically tailored meals, groceries and produce for peoples with diet-related diseases or food insecurity, and other interventions where there is a clinical need.
Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.
Mandates all insurance contracts, plans or policies provide insurance coverage for the expense of diagnosing and treating infertility, for women between the ages of 25 and 42 years including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in conjunction with IVF.
Requires insurance coverage for all community health workers' services to include health and promotion coaching, health education and training, health system navigation and resource coordination services, care planning and follow-up care recommendations.
Changes annual reporting requirements for the state’s family home-visiting program and also impacts appropriation and spending of funds in order to access maximum federal funding for these programs.
Maddy summarySB 1046 amends the state's sales and use tax laws related to hotel taxes. Currently, there is a 5% state hotel tax and a 1% local hotel tax on hotel stays and similar accommodations. This bill introduces a new provision that allows individual cities and towns to levy an *additional* local hotel tax, up to a maximum of two percent (2%). This means a community could increase its total local hotel tax from one percent to up to three percent, with the state's division of taxation generally collecting and distributing these local taxes to the respective municipalities.