Sen. Bridget Valverde

Maddy summarySB 2247 amends retirement rules to allow retired state employees to work in specific part-time roles without losing retirement benefits. It permits retired teachers to teach at state colleges (capped at $25,000 annually), retired nurses to provide per diem care at state facilities (capped at 75 working days yearly), and retired driver education instructors to teach (capped at $15,000 annually), with no additional retirement contributions or service credits. Employers must report such employment monthly to the retirement board. The bill also includes other exemptions, like for mayors or school committee members, but these do not grant additional retirement benefits.

Increases monthly minimum benefit for a spouse, domestic partner, former spouse. Grant a 3.34% COLA for eligible retirees. Provided a modification reducing federal AGI for public pension benefits from the RI employees retirement system.

Allows the dismissal of a teacher after the March 1 deadline if there is gross misconduct by a teacher upon a student. This act would allow the notice to be given at any time and will not have time constraints.

Maddy summarySB 2407 would extend the maximum term of employment for school superintendents in Rhode Island from three to five years. This change directly affects school committees, which hire and set terms for superintendents, by allowing them to establish longer contracts. The bill amends Section 16-2-9(12) of state education law to update the term limit from three years to five years. The change would take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses condolences for the passing of Jeannette D. Alyward, a longtime resident of North Kingstown who served as the town's Clerk. The bill formally acknowledges her life and career, noting her decades of public service and her role as a devoted family member. It authorizes the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to her family as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Department of Corrections staff in direct supervision roles to wear body cameras while on duty within correctional facilities. The law mandates that cameras be activated during specific interactions such as use of force incidents, transporting individuals, medical emergencies, and disciplinary proceedings, with recordings retained for at least 60 days unless needed for investigations. An independent oversight board will be established to review critical incidents and complaints, while incarcerated individuals will be informed of recording practices and given the right to request footage review. The Department of Corrections must provide staff training on camera use and privacy, submit biannual reports to the General Assembly, and face disciplinary action for non-compliance.

Makes it unnecessary to prove that a person's transmission of electronic communications be for the sole purpose of harassment before being found guilty of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.

Repeals 42-56-38.1 and requires the department of corrections to provide free communication services to inmates and juveniles held in residential placement or detention centers and requires that those facilities provide in-person contact visits.

Maddy summarySB 2303 amends Rhode Island's 2015 Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act to require all state and municipal police departments to collect detailed data on every routine traffic stop and vehicle search, including the officer's perception of the driver's race/ethnicity, reason for the stop, and outcome (e.g., citation, arrest, or search). This data must be submitted monthly to the Department of Transportation's Office of Highway Safety for a 48-month period starting in 2027. An independent outside agency chosen by the Department will then conduct an annual statistical study analyzing the data for racial disparities in policing, with findings and quarterly summary reports made public. The bill also mandates police agencies to review data monthly for compliance and annually to address any identified disparities.

Increases number of members of state crime laboratory commission to 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.