Sen. Sam Bell

Maddy summarySB 53, the "Rhode Island Prior Authorization Reform Act of 2025," would prohibit insurers from requiring prior authorization for healthcare services ordered by in-network primary care providers. This directly affects patients receiving routine care from their primary doctors and the providers themselves, as it removes an administrative barrier for common treatments. The key mechanism eliminates a requirement where insurers typically must approve services before they are provided, streamlining access to care. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after being referred in January 2025.

Maddy summarySB 534 establishes the "Third-Party Litigation Financing Consumer Protection Act" to regulate companies that fund lawsuits for individuals in Rhode Island. It requires these financiers to register with the state, post a $50,000 bond, and provide full written contracts with clear disclosures to consumers. The law bans practices like paying referral fees to lawyers or medical providers, prevents financiers from directing legal strategy or waiving jury trials, and prohibits reporting consumers to credit agencies for unpaid fees. This directly affects individuals filing lawsuits (consumers), their attorneys (legal representatives), and medical providers involved in cases. The bill aims to protect consumers from exploitative financing terms while ensuring transparency in litigation funding arrangements.

Maddy summarySB 121 requires Rhode Island's health insurance commissioner to produce a report by January 1, 2026, examining how health insurance plans handle prior authorization for prescription drugs. The report will analyze insurers' processes for approving or denying coverage of medications before they are dispensed. This directly affects health insurers, the commissioner, and patients who rely on prescription medications. The goal is to increase transparency around drug access and inform future policy decisions without advocating for specific changes.

Maddy summarySB 326 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2025, requiring large fossil fuel corporations (defined as entities responsible for over one billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2024) to pay for climate change response work already funded by the state and municipalities. The bill mandates the Department of Environmental Management to calculate each company's share based on emissions data and issue payment demands for costs incurred since 2009, including projects like coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency planning. Funds collected will be deposited into a dedicated account and used solely for future climate adaptation efforts. This directly affects major fossil fuel companies that contributed significantly to climate change, shifting costs from taxpayers to those most responsible.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 760) ceremonially celebrates the 4th Annual "RI Craft Beer Week" (March 7-16, 2025) in Rhode Island, recognizing the craft beer industry's economic contributions. It cites the industry's growth (50 breweries, $876M in annual wages, 7,161 jobs) and community impact without creating new laws or affecting any regulations. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the RI Brewers Guild Executive Director. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect or direct impact on businesses, residents, or policy.

Allows a minor between the ages of 14 - 17 without a permanent residence/in custody of the DCYF to get state identification card without a signature from parent, guardian or foster parent as well as a certified copy of minor's birth certificate at no cost

Maddy summarySB 465 prohibits life insurance companies licensed in the state from denying coverage or excluding benefits due to a person’s preexisting medical conditions or prior insurance denials. It directly affects residents seeking life insurance policies within the state, ensuring they cannot be refused coverage based on health history. The bill voids any preexisting condition exclusion language in applications, binders, or policies, making such terms unenforceable. This policy change would take effect immediately upon passage, requiring insurers to offer coverage without these restrictions.

Establishes a single-payer health care insurance system, consolidating public and private payments into a more efficient Medicare-for-all style program, funded by progressive taxes, to reduce health care costs.

Establishes the commuter transportation benefit chapter. Employers with five hundred (500) or more employees would be required to establish a pre-tax commuter transportation fringe benefit program.

Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2026.