Prohibits the declawing of cats by any surgical procedure to amputate or modify a portion of a cat's paw in order to remove the cat's claws. Does not apply to any procedure performed for a therapeutic purpose.
Maddy summarySB 359, the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025, prohibits the sale, manufacture, and purchase of specific firearms defined as "prohibited" under the bill. It directly affects residents and businesses in Rhode Island who handle or own firearms meeting the defined criteria, such as semi-automatic rifles with folding stocks, pistol grips, or magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Key provisions ban weapons with features like detachable magazines, grenade launchers, or threaded barrels, while allowing limited exceptions for current owners selling to dealers or law enforcement. The ban takes effect July 1, 2026, with violations punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine.
Extends the sunset provision allowing retired teachers to substitute teach in excess of 90 days. The sunset provision is extended from June 20, 2025 until July 1, 2026.
Prohibits casualty insurers from assessing any premium surcharge or penalty against an insured solely for inquiring about the terms of the insured's policy.
Maddy summarySB 266 temporarily removes the requirement for clinical social workers to pass a standardized exam to obtain a license, effective immediately until August 15, 2025. This directly affects new applicants seeking clinical social worker licensure in Rhode Island. The bill also directs the licensing board to develop language accommodations and alternative qualification pathways to improve access for diverse communities. After August 15, 2025, the previous exam requirement will resume unless further action is taken.
Maddy summarySB 980 increases Block Island's landing fee from $0.50 to $1.00 per passenger over 12 arriving by boat. The funds collected (after collection expenses) must support health/safety services, tourism facilities, and managing tourism growth. The town can authorize boat carriers or marinas to collect the fee as part of passenger rates without needing utility commission approval.
Maddy summarySB 938 authorizes anyone to take green crabs (an invasive species) and creates a $10 annual commercial license for Rhode Island residents who wish to harvest them commercially. The bill establishes a $10 fee per season for commercial licenses and allows the state director to create additional regulations for this license. It directly affects Rhode Island residents seeking to commercially harvest green crabs as part of invasive species management. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.
Updates and expands the current law to include menopause and menopause related conditions in the law on fair employment practices pertaining to pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions.
Maddy summarySB 614 is a technical correction bill that updates reporting requirements for alcohol beverage taxes and clarifies the allocation of motor fuel tax proceeds. It requires Class A alcohol licensees to submit annual sales and tax reports by February 1st, with the tax administrator compiling county-level data for legislative committees by May 1st. The bill also specifies exact cents-per-gallon allocations from motor fuel taxes for public transit (starting 2004), the Elderly/Disabled Transportation Program (starting 2010), and general revenue, while directing $0.035 per gallon to the Sakonnet River Bridge maintenance fund starting in 2015. It does not create new taxes or change existing rates, but refines administrative processes and funding distribution.
Requires that any state agency, state institution of higher education, and quasi-public agency that engages in printing more than 50 copies of a contract, publication, brochure, notice, or promotional material to use a state-owned or operated print shop.
