Sen. Bridget Valverde

Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 897 requires group health insurance policies in this state to provide coverage for various services performed by pharmacists, starting January 1, 2026. This includes services such as patient evaluation and management, medication therapy review, immunizations, and ordering clinical lab tests. Coverage is mandated if these services would typically be covered when performed by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant. The bill also specifies that health plans must include pharmacists in their networks of participating medical providers. These provisions are set to expire on January 1, 2030, unless extended.

Establishes the Genetic Information Privacy Act, which would require a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, as defined, to provide a consumer with certain information regarding the company’s policies and procedures regarding use of genetic data.

Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 2.89% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system.

Establishes and funds the SafeRIde program, which provides transportation, free of charge, to persons suspected of having a blood alcohol concentration that prohibits legal operation of a vehicle.

Maddy summarySB 684, titled "AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE--PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS," proposes to prohibit individual health insurance policies from requiring prior authorization for prescriptions of generic medication. This means that individuals covered by these plans would no longer need their insurer's approval before filling a generic drug prescription. The bill directly affects individuals with individual health insurance coverage and the health insurance carriers that offer these plans by amending existing general laws on individual health insurance.

Requires health insurance policies to cover licensed certified lactation counselor services for childbearing families. It also prohibits requiring supervision or duplicate payments for services and mandates annual reporting.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 184 amends the rules for individuals receiving state retirement benefits who wish to work after retirement. It expands the part-time employment options available to retired state employees and teachers at state colleges and universities. The bill allows these retirees to take on roles such as classroom instruction, academic advising, or coaching, and permits retired nurses to serve as nursing faculty. They can do so without losing their retirement benefits, provided their gross pay for such work does not exceed specified annual limits, such as $18,000 for general instruction. No additional service credits are granted for this post-retirement employment.

Maddy summarySB 480 mandates that health insurance plans delivered or renewed in the state must provide coverage for FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and related services. This includes emergency contraception, voluntary female sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling. Health insurers must cover at least one therapeutic equivalent of a contraceptive without cost-sharing. If an individual's provider recommends a specific FDA-approved contraceptive for medical reasons, it must be covered without cost-sharing. These benefits extend to covered individuals, their spouses, and dependents, and generally cannot be subject to deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.

Amends several sections of chapter 24 of title 45, entitled "zoning ordinances," also known as the "Rhode Island zoning enabling act of 1991," with the intent of preserving neighborhood character and promoting smart growth.