Sen. Alana DiMario

Limits prior authorization requirements for rehabilitative and habilitative services. Also prohibits prior authorization for the first twelve (12) visits of a new episode of care and for ninety (90) days following a chronic pain diagnosis.

Maddy summarySB 121 requires Rhode Island's health insurance commissioner to produce a report by January 1, 2026, examining how health insurance plans handle prior authorization for prescription drugs. The report will analyze insurers' processes for approving or denying coverage of medications before they are dispensed. This directly affects health insurers, the commissioner, and patients who rely on prescription medications. The goal is to increase transparency around drug access and inform future policy decisions without advocating for specific changes.

Creates commercial dock space for businesses subject to being reviewed by the DEM. Would also include commercial fishers to be eligible for a grant program.

Maddy summarySB 326 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2025, requiring large fossil fuel corporations (defined as entities responsible for over one billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2024) to pay for climate change response work already funded by the state and municipalities. The bill mandates the Department of Environmental Management to calculate each company's share based on emissions data and issue payment demands for costs incurred since 2009, including projects like coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency planning. Funds collected will be deposited into a dedicated account and used solely for future climate adaptation efforts. This directly affects major fossil fuel companies that contributed significantly to climate change, shifting costs from taxpayers to those most responsible.

Prohibits any questioning of a juvenile who is suspected of delinquent or criminal behavior, unless the parent of guardian of the juvenile is present, or unless an attorney is present or the juvenile and their parents have waived their presence.

Allows a minor between the ages of 14 - 17 without a permanent residence/in custody of the DCYF to get state identification card without a signature from parent, guardian or foster parent as well as a certified copy of minor's birth certificate at no cost

Maddy summarySB 440 redefines the University of Rhode Island's (URI) governing board of trustees as the sole employer for faculty and staff, taking over all property control and management from the Council on Postsecondary Education. It grants the board authority to set procurement rules (bypassing most state purchasing requirements), establish performance metrics tied to graduation rates and job-relevant degrees, and create transfer pathways with community colleges. The bill directly affects URI’s operations, employees, and students by shifting decision-making power to the board and requiring specific outcome-based reporting. Key provisions include new metrics for bachelor’s degrees within 4-6 years, alignment with Rhode Island’s job market, and accepting AP scores for credit. The bill does not change URI’s mission but formalizes how the university is governed and measured.

Creates the Rhode Island Individual Market Affordability Act of 2024 to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income consumers enrolled in the health insurance coverage through the Rhode Island health benefits exchange.

Prohibit the family court from detaining any juvenile or committing any juvenile, under the age of 12 years, to the training school, for any offense other than murder, first degree sexual assault, or an attempt to commit such offenses.

Establishes a single-payer health care insurance system, consolidating public and private payments into a more efficient Medicare-for-all style program, funded by progressive taxes, to reduce health care costs.