Sen. Bridget Valverde

Authorizes the town of North Kingstown to issue not more than $137,200,000 bonds and notes for capital improvements of school facilities throughout the town, including a new Wickford middle school.

Enables cities and towns to enact enabling legislation authorizing a partner program to assist students with an IEP for specially designed physical education classes.

Requires the chief resilience officer (CRO) and a resiliency office within the department of environmental management (DEM) be charged with the creation, maintenance and updating of the state's resiliency and community recovery program.

Provides amendments to the Rhode Island Works Program regarding eligibility and cash assistance, and repeals the termination of benefits to a family because of failure of a family member to enter into or comply with an individual employment plan.

Requires that developers of ground-mounted solar systems submit a plan for decommissioning to be held on file by the municipality and requires DEM, with the office of energy resources, make publicly available model decommissioning plans.

Relocates the chapter relating to licensing of massage therapists from the health and safety title to the businesses and professions title with multiple amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Transparency in Arts Education Access and Proficiency Act to increase visibility of arts programs in Rhode Island public middle and high schools. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, schools must report annually on the percentage of students enrolled in arts courses and the number of available classes in dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts. Additionally, the state may appoint arts education curriculum coordinators to assist schools with these reporting requirements, and high schools must begin submitting student portfolios demonstrating proficiency in an art form by the 2026-27 school year.

Establishes the renewable ready program and fund to promotes the responsible siting/development of renewable energy generating resources in locations where it would be an ancillary beneficial use to the redevelopment of previously contaminated property.

Mandates, as of 1/1/26, all recovery housing facilities register with department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals adhere to the National Alliance for Recovery Residences process.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that mail ballot drop boxes in Rhode Island remain open for 35 days before regular state, statewide, and federal elections, and for 20 days before special elections. It requires these secure containers to be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week when located outside municipal buildings, while also ensuring they are available during business hours if placed inside city or town facilities. The legislation establishes specific rules for labeling, video surveillance, accessibility for people with disabilities, and the public posting of drop box locations on official websites. Additionally, it sets procedures for when drop boxes must be locked on election day and outlines how local boards will manage the collection and transport of ballots.