Requires the department of health to incorporate information about dementia risk factors and reduction into public education and healthcare provider education materials.
Maddy summarySB 998 reduces the Coastal Resources Management Council from 10 to 7 voting members, effective March 1, 2026. The new structure requires six public members appointed by the governor (with Senate approval), including specific expertise: one engineer, one coastal biologist, and one environmental organization representative, all residing in coastal municipalities. The council’s ex-officio director (from the Department of Environmental Management) remains but isn’t counted toward the seven-member limit. This bill directly affects future council appointments and composition, streamlining governance without altering the council’s environmental management duties. The bill was signed into law on June 30, 2025.
Provides extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, recycling of beverage containers, and provides general provisions for oversight of single-stage producer organizations.
Maddy summarySB 945 establishes Rhode Island's Anti-Bid-Rigging Act to prevent collusion in public procurement. It prohibits coordinated schemes like identical bids, rotating winners, or price fixing among bidders or government officials influencing contract awards. Violations carry felony penalties of up to three years in prison, fines up to $1 million or three times the contract value, and debarment from state contracts for up to five years. The law specifically excludes simultaneous bids as prime and subcontractor, and standard public disclosures of contract details. This act applies to all state and local government contracts governed by Rhode Island's procurement laws.
Amends the definition of “hobby breeder” to limit the sale or offering for sale to no more than two (2) litters of dogs or cats, or a combination thereof, in a three hundred and sixty-five (365) day period.
Maddy summarySB 471 establishes licensing standards for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Rhode Island, affecting professionals who provide these services. It sets license terms (two years, renewable biennially), requires maintaining a clinical competence certificate for renewal, and creates an inactive status option for two years without fees. The bill also details specific requirements for speech-language pathology assistants, including 18 graduate credit hours, 25 observation hours, and 100 clinical hours under supervision. These changes update procedural rules for professional licensing under Rhode Island law.
Extends coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome by removing the sunset date of December 31, 2025, and mandating such coverage.
Maddy summarySB 843 allows property owners with eligible net-metering systems connected to a master meter to allocate excess electricity credits to any individual meter on the same property. This directly affects property owners with solar or renewable energy systems who generate more electricity than they use. The bill specifies that credits can be distributed to any metered account (like residential, commercial, or low-income housing units) without restrictions on the number of meters, as long as the system meets eligibility requirements. It also clarifies that community remote net-metering systems must allocate at least 50% of credits to eligible low-income housing or other designated accounts. The policy change simplifies how excess energy credits are shared across multiple accounts on a single property.
Maddy summarySB 716 establishes a formal process for local governments and private entities to modify parking near public shoreline access areas in Rhode Island. It requires detailed plans showing how changes won’t reduce access, especially for people with disabilities (meeting ADA standards), and mandates a 30-day public comment period before approval. Entities that skip these steps face fines up to $5,000 per day, with penalty funds going to a new "shoreline access improvement fund" for public access projects. The bill directly affects towns, businesses, and organizations managing coastal parking while ensuring compliance with state laws and accessibility requirements.
Establishes a rare disease advisory council within the department of health to provide guidance and recommendations to educate healthcare providers and the citizens of the state.
