Requires any benefit enhancements afforded under the employees' retirement system of Rhode Island or the municipal employees' retirement system to be amortized over individual five (5) year closed periods.
Increases the state earned-income credit as of January 1, 2025 to seventeen percent (17%) of the federal earned-income credit, not to exceed the amount of state income tax.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Administration to create an online portal that tracks the number of funded full-time equivalent positions in the Departments of Children, Youth and Families and Human Services. The portal will display data broken down by specific job titles, such as social caseworkers and clinical social workers, showing how many positions are budgeted versus how many are currently filled. It requires the site to be updated monthly with side-by-side comparisons of budget proposals and finalized figures to allow for easy tracking of staffing changes over time.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 12 through May 18, 2024, as "National Hospital Week" in Rhode Island to honor the contributions of healthcare professionals and facilities. The measure aims to raise public awareness about the vital role hospitals play in the state's economy and community health, noting that local hospitals generate thousands of jobs and provide extensive medical services. It formally acknowledges the dedication of nurses, doctors, and staff who deliver essential care to residents. Additionally, the resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the President of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 2024 as "Rhode Island Pharmacy Advocacy Month" to honor the contributions of pharmacy professionals to public health. The bill encourages citizens, healthcare workers, and organizations to participate in events that highlight the vital role pharmacists play in medication therapy and patient care. It also directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association and the state Board of Pharmacy.
Exempts battery energy storage system equipment, solar thermal collectors for commercial applications and solar storage tanks that are part of a commercial solar hot water system from the state sales tax.
Repeals the exemption granted to pari mutual facilities and casinos from the smoke free workplace requirement contained in the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes allocating $180,000 to the Rhode Island State Conservation Committee and its three regional districts to support their conservation programs. The funding would be divided among the state committee and the Northern, Southern, and Eastern districts to help maintain services like farmland viability, water quality protection, and environmental education. This appropriation aims to restore a budget level that had not been provided since 2006, ensuring these agencies can continue their technical assistance and land preservation efforts.
Maddy summarySB 2486 would repeal the existing laws that regulate retail promotions involving games of chance, such as contests where customers can win prizes based on luck. Currently, businesses offering these promotions must file detailed statements with the secretary of state, post rules and prize information in their stores, and keep records of winners to ensure fairness and transparency. The bill also removes criminal penalties for failing to follow these rules or for manipulating, rigging, or coercing participation in such schemes. By eliminating these statutes, the legislation would remove the legal framework governing how retail establishments conduct prize-based marketing campaigns.
Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2025, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.
