Sen. Sam Bell

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 882) congratulating high school students and schools that won Rhode Island's 2025 ProStart® competition. It specifically honors students from William M. Davies Jr. Career and Technical High School (Culinary and Foodservice teams) and Chariho Area Career & Technical Center (Hospitality & Tourism team), who will represent Rhode Island at the national competition. The resolution has no policy impact - it formally expresses Senate support and directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the winning schools.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 883) honoring the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) for its work since 2011. It recognizes the Council's efforts to address food insecurity, promote sustainable food systems, and foster collaboration among community groups, farmers, and government agencies. The resolution formally commends the RIFPC's staff and volunteers and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with state and federal leaders. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or funding.

Requires a municipality to disclose on their official website the specific issues, details and costs of any legal action of which the town or city is a named defendant.

Maddy summarySB 288 limits re-election for key state executive positions by prohibiting any person from being elected to the same general office (governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, or treasurer) more than twice. It also restricts individuals who served over two years of another person's term to only one additional election to that office. The bill further states that someone ineligible to run for governor cannot be elected lieutenant governor. These changes would apply immediately upon the bill's passage, affecting how state officers serve and seek re-election.

Establishes a new article in the state building code that provides that certain new housing construction contain at least one floor that meets the requirements for a Type C "ANSI'' Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.

Provides for tiered and reduced penalties for offenses of larceny, and shoplifting. Further provides that offenses of shoplifting or larceny would not be misdemeanors, repeals habitual offender provisions and other fraudulent offenses.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 881) formally designates March 2025 as "National Social Work Month" in Rhode Island. It recognizes the contributions of social workers across the state, highlighting their roles in mental health, substance use treatment, advocacy for marginalized communities, and addressing crises like homelessness. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the National Association of Social Workers Rhode Island Chapter (NASW-RI). It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of social workers' impact on Rhode Island communities.

Caps amount payable for 30 day supply of equipment/supplies for insulin administration/glucose monitoring at $25 or equipment designed to last more than 30 days with no deductible commencing January 1, 2026.

Authorizes municipalities to make an emergency declaration under limited circumstances to allow for the construction and use of SAVE Units on a temporary basis which have specialized requirements and exemptions from the state fire and building codes.