Sen. Alana DiMario

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program within the Department of Health to train physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in primary care settings. It establishes an office responsible for managing grants awarded to medical practices that meet specific standards, such as achieving a recognized patient-centered medical home designation and offering integrated behavioral health services. Each selected practice site can receive up to $90,000 annually to provide training that includes at least five hours of classroom instruction and exposure to team-based care models. The program director must also set performance standards for grant recipients and submit annual reports to the governor and the state legislature.

Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends laws governing Rhode Island's environmental funds to allow money from the Oil Spill Prevention, Administration and Response Fund to support the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council's efforts to reduce emissions. It authorizes the legislature to allocate up to $250,000 annually from this fund specifically for research, monitoring, and climate projects directed by the council. Additionally, the bill updates the Underground Storage Tank Financial Responsibility Act to include climate-related initiatives as an eligible use of funds for cleaning up petroleum leaks. These changes expand how existing state resources can be utilized to address both oil spill prevention and broader climate goals.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Department of Administration to study how Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Management Council should be organized. The study will compare the costs and benefits of making the Council a standalone state department versus merging it with the Department of Environmental Management. It will also examine staffing needs, potential overlaps in authority, and any required federal approvals from NOAA. The Department of Administration must complete this analysis and submit its findings and recommendations to the Senate by February 1, 2025.

Requires that public utilities plan utility work in accordance with the state transportation improvement program schedules when working on state roads.

Establishes Children's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide finance assistance to families for medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance contract.

Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's medical care and treatment shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission.

Requires hosting platforms offering short-term rental of residential property for tourist or transient use to disclose on listings the current, valid registration number and its expiration date.

Repeals the "Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act." Amends title 5 "Businesses and Professions" to include a new chapter 93, an amended "Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act."

Provides that the legislature would be the body that negotiates on behalf of the state for all activities occurring in, on and over state submerged land extending beyond twenty-five (25) acres.