Sen. Bridget Valverde

Requires EOHHS to develop a budget and seek funding to establish an early childhood mental health hub program to improve access to infant and early childhood mental health services for children under six (6) years and their families.

Establishes a new article in the state building code that provides that certain new housing construction contain at least one floor that meets the requirements for a Type C "ANSI'' Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

This act would require that a super majority of three-fifths (3/5) of the duly appointed council is required to override a recommendation by the CRMC staff.

Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.

Maddy summarySB 704 requires Rhode Island nursing homes to publicly disclose detailed financial information starting July 1, 2025. Owners and managers with 5% or more ownership or financial influence must submit balance sheets, income statements, cash flow reports, and proof that services provided were at fair market value. This includes all assets, liabilities, expenses, and details on goods/services supplied to the facility. The public will access this data while protecting individual owner privacy, aiming to increase transparency in nursing home finances.

Provides for tiered and reduced penalties for offenses of larceny, and shoplifting. Further provides that offenses of shoplifting or larceny would not be misdemeanors, repeals habitual offender provisions and other fraudulent offenses.

Maddy summarySB 689, the "Embryo Safety and Storage Act," requires Rhode Island's Department of Health to license and regulate facilities storing human eggs, pre-embryos, and embryos used in fertility treatments like IVF. It mandates that all such facilities - including clinics storing embryos - comply with strict safety standards (based on ISO and FDA guidelines), undergo regular inspections, and maintain detailed records to prevent loss during disasters like power outages. The law directly affects fertility clinics and IVF providers by requiring annual licensing, staff qualifications, facility safety checks, and adherence to specific biorepository practices. Failure to comply could lead to license denial, suspension, or revocation.

Removes the requirement that families consent to, and cooperate with the department of human services in establishing paternity and enforcing child and medical support orders as a condition of eligibility for child care assistance.

Establishes a process whereby large drug manufacturers, may be penalized for prescription drug price increases where there is no, or inadequate, new evidence to support the price increase.

Increases number of members of the state crime laboratory commission 9, changes makeup of commission to include individuals with expertise in law enforcement, criminal defense, scientific research, makes chair of department of physics executive secretary.