Sen. Victoria Gu

Authorizes the Chariho Regional School District to finance the construction, furnishing and equipping of an elementary school and to issue not more than $116,000,000 bonds and/or notes.

Maddy summarySB 2260 requires owners of large Rhode Island buildings (25,000+ gross square feet) to annually report energy and water usage data using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Buildings over 50,000 sq ft must start reporting by May 15, 2028, while those between 25,000-49,999 sq ft begin in 2030. The law mandates reporting of metrics like energy use intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, and compliance status to the Office of Energy Resources, which will publish this data publicly. This affects commercial, residential, and campus properties, aiming to increase transparency about building energy performance without imposing new energy efficiency standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated domestic violence calendar within the Rhode Island Superior Court specifically for handling felony domestic violence cases. The new system would prioritize scheduling these cases and assign them to specific personnel to ensure consistent judicial oversight and better enforcement of protective orders. It applies to serious crimes involving domestic violence, violations of no-contact orders, and weapon-related offenses connected to such matters. The legislation aims to improve public safety and court efficiency by centralizing the processing of these specific criminal proceedings.

Authorizes the state retirement board to revoke or reduce an individual’s pension benefit if that individual is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to a felony sex crime related to their public office or public employment.

Maddy summarySB 2678 increases the monthly minimum retirement benefit paid to spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of retired teachers. This change directly affects individuals who receive survivor benefits under the teachers' retirement system. The bill raises the minimum monthly payment amount without altering other retirement eligibility rules. It was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Maddy summarySB 2570 requires healthcare providers and facilities to inform patients when artificial intelligence (AI) is used to document in-person or telehealth visits. It applies to all licensed healthcare professionals (like doctors, nurses, and dentists) and facilities that use AI for this specific purpose - recording visit details, not for making medical decisions. The law mandates clear notification to patients before or during their visit, defining AI broadly to include technologies like language models and machine learning systems. This notification requirement takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Maddy summarySB 2047 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offenses by adjusting imprisonment thresholds. It redefines a felony as any offense punishable by more than 364 days in jail (previously one year), a misdemeanor as 6 months to 364 days (previously up to one year), and specifies petty misdemeanors and violations with updated fine limits. This bill directly affects all criminal cases classified under these categories in the state's legal system, ensuring consistent application of sentencing terms. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Creates additional safety features for AI companion technology that include addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial harm to others expressed by a user. It also requires notification the AI companion does not have human emotions.

Maddy summarySB 2197 requires mental health professionals (such as licensed therapists, counselors, and social workers) to obtain specific written consent before using artificial intelligence for administrative tasks like scheduling or record-keeping. The bill bans AI tools designed to simulate emotional bonds or make therapeutic decisions during client sessions, including those used with recorded therapy. It prohibits AI from directly interacting with clients or replacing human judgment in treatment, while allowing limited AI use for non-therapeutic support under strict oversight. The law applies to all licensed mental health providers offering therapy or psychotherapy services in the state.

Creates a 16-member commission to study current condominium law and provide recommendations for improvements, and who would report back to the General Assembly by December 31, 2027, and would expire on March 15, 2028.