Sen. Tiara Mack

Maddy summarySB 2267 requires tenants to promptly notify landlords in writing or electronically if they suspect bed bugs in their unit. Landlords must arrange for a pest control inspection within 96 hours, cover all inspection and treatment costs (including adjacent units if infested), and provide 48 hours' notice before entering for inspections or treatments. Tenants must allow access and prepare their unit for treatment, but are not required to pay for inspections or treatments unless they unreasonably refuse cooperation. The bill also prohibits landlords from renting out units known to have bed bugs. This directly affects renters and residential property owners in rental housing.

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted an exemption by secretary of housing, and provides tenants with civil action to recover damages, including award of attorneys' fees and punitive damages, for any violations.

Maddy summarySB 2266 bans landlords and property managers from using computer programs (including AI tools) that rely on secret rental data from other landlords or tenants to set or adjust rent for residential properties. It specifically prohibits algorithms using nonpublic competitor data - like actual rent prices, occupancy rates, or lease details - to determine rent amounts or changes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with limited exemptions for housing programs, monthly market reports, and basic internal record-keeping systems. It directly affects residential landlords who currently use such tools to price rentals.

Establishes a revolving fund to assist first-time home buyers and veterans to purchase a home in Rhode Island by issuing grants of up to forty thousand dollars ($40,000).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new minimum wage of $24.00 per hour for all employers in the state, effective January 1, 2027. It directly affects all employers and employees by setting a mandatory hourly pay floor that must be met or exceeded. The legislation amends existing minimum wage laws to replace the current $16.00 hourly rate with the higher standard. Employers will need to adjust payroll systems and wage policies to comply with this new requirement once it takes effect.

Increases the minimum wage amount for any person committed to the adult correctional institution from $3.00 to $5.00 a day for every day the person shall labor.

Maddy summarySB 2620 sets the state's minimum wage at $20.00 per hour effective January 1, 2027, as part of a scheduled annual increase. This bill directly affects all covered hourly workers and employers subject to the state's minimum wage law. The legislation amends existing law by adding the 2027 rate to the established schedule, which previously set lower rates for prior years (e.g., $16.00 effective January 1, 2026). It does not include additional provisions beyond establishing this specific wage rate.

Commencing January 1, 2027, this act would increase the minimum wage for employees receiving gratuities, from the current three dollars and eighty-nine cents ($3.89) to six dollars and seventy-five cents ($6.75) per hour.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to Sojourner House to support its permanent housing development program that provides safe, secure housing to individuals and families fleeing from dangerous situations.

Permits all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the same legal effect as in-person appearances.