Sen. Bridget Valverde

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 12 through May 18, 2024, as "National Hospital Week" in Rhode Island to honor the contributions of healthcare professionals and facilities. The measure aims to raise public awareness about the vital role hospitals play in the state's economy and community health, noting that local hospitals generate thousands of jobs and provide extensive medical services. It formally acknowledges the dedication of nurses, doctors, and staff who deliver essential care to residents. Additionally, the resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the President of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 2024 as "Rhode Island Pharmacy Advocacy Month" to honor the contributions of pharmacy professionals to public health. The bill encourages citizens, healthcare workers, and organizations to participate in events that highlight the vital role pharmacists play in medication therapy and patient care. It also directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association and the state Board of Pharmacy.

Establishes building safety code standards for multi-dwelling buildings and requires the development of recommendations for resolving any conflicts between fire safety codes and the building codes.

Restructures RI Housing and Conservation Trust Fund, increase its membership to 15 members, 11 of whom are to be from the general public and reallocate the percentage of the funds for housing, conservation and other goals.

Repeals the exemption granted to pari mutual facilities and casinos from the smoke free workplace requirement contained in the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act.

Provides a special enrollment period for applicants for Medicare Part B. Also prohibits state insurance carriers from denying/imposing conditions on new enrollees or discriminate on price based upon health status/claims experience/preexisting conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents health insurance plans from requiring approval reviews for prescriptions used to treat alcohol or opioid use disorders. It specifically protects medications containing methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, as well as drugs approved for opioid withdrawal, from being subjected to prospective or concurrent utilization reviews. The law applies to all health benefit plans issued or renewed after the bill becomes effective and also mandates that Medicaid managed care organizations follow specific state criteria for these determinations. By removing these review barriers, the legislation aims to streamline access to addiction treatment medications for covered individuals.

Allows the Honorable Gregory A. Mancini, Esq., to join Abigail Elizabeth Moretti and Jake Scott Owen in marriage on or about October 12, 2024, within the City of Warwick, Rhode Island.

Prohibits colleges and universities from withholding a student's transcript due to the student failing to pay any expenses owed to the college or university but permits the withholding of a student's academic credits and grades or diploma or degree.

Requires executive climate change coordinating council (EC4) to develop a template to be used by all agencies of the state to track their climate emissions to uphold the pathway to Rhode Island's act on climate legislative goals.