Sen. Sam Bell

Maddy summarySB 24 prohibits the licensing of new high-heat waste facilities in Rhode Island, including incinerators, gasification plants, and advanced recycling facilities that use heat above 400°F to process waste. It directly affects developers and operators seeking to build or operate such facilities, blocking new permits and licenses. The bill defines "high-heat waste facilities" broadly to cover processes like incineration, pyrolysis, and chemical recycling of plastics or waste materials. This is a concrete policy change that would prevent new facilities from being constructed or operated, pending legislative action. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee.

Establishes an intervenor support program to provide compensation for an intervenor who makes a substantial contribution to a proceeding resulting in a decision favorable to the interest of utility consumers.

Establishes The Body Cameras for Correctional Facilities Act which mandates all department of corrections staff with direct supervision rolls to wear body cameras while on duty in their assigned facility.

Provides that prisoners who committed offenses prior to age 18 and sentenced as adults would be eligible for parole after completing 15 yrs of their sentence/does not lengthen their eligibility should prisoner be eligible for parole earlier than 15 yrs.

Maddy summarySB 267 strengthens protections for Rhode Island residents seeking Medicare supplement ("Medigap") insurance. It requires insurers to offer Plan A policies without medical underwriting to applicants aged 65+ or under 65 with disability/end-stage renal disease who are eligible for Medicare, and guarantees issue rights during annual enrollment periods. The bill prohibits exclusions for pre-existing conditions beyond six months and bans duplicating Medicare benefits, while establishing community-rated premiums and standardized policy terms. It also mandates the Health Insurance Commissioner to enforce these rules and monitor insurer compliance, with penalties for violations. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Precludes any legal entity from possessing, controlling or otherwise claiming legal title to real property exceeding an aggregate value of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) in single-family dwellings or multi-family dwellings.

Establishes that Medicaid eligibility in RI can only be determined using state-controlled data, prohibit private entity data in eligibility decisions, and ensure terminations are made by human employees rather than automated systems.

Establishes the restrictive housing oversight committee ("committee") for the purpose of monitoring the use of restrictive housing ("solitary confinement"), as well as disciplinary and administrative confinement at the department of corrections.

Prohibits state and municipal officials or body from entering into and renewing any agreements that will be used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations.

Maddy summarySB 543 prohibits the sale of flavored electronic nicotine-delivery system products (vape products with non-tobacco/mint flavors) to consumers in Rhode Island, except at designated vape shops. It defines a "vape shop" as a business exclusively selling nicotine products to adults 21+ and exempts these shops from the flavor ban. The bill also clarifies that cannabis facilities (compassion centers) are exempt from the prohibition, except for tobacco/nicotine products. This legislation is pending Senate Finance Committee action after being referred for study.