Adds "media literacy" to the standards currently taught in civic education for K-12, which are the history of Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship and the principles of democracy.
Commencing July 1, 2026, this act eliminates the provision of this section that requires new applicants for employment under this section to pay the expense for their criminal background checks.
Establishes the commuter transportation benefit chapter. Employers with five hundred (500) or more employees required to establish a pre-tax commuter transportation fringe benefit program.
Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit corporations and non-licensed entities from owning medical practices or controlling clinical decisions. It requires doctors licensed in Rhode Island to hold majority ownership (shares and board control) in medical practices, while banning management companies from interfering with clinical judgment or restricting doctors’ non-compete agreements. The law also prohibits management organizations from advertising clinics under their own names or entering contracts that would let them dictate staffing, billing, or patient care decisions. These provisions directly affect medical practices using management services organizations and doctors working within them. The bill has been referred to committee but is currently held for further study.
Permits licensed providers to accompany emergency medical services and treat patients within the community for mental health disorders, including substance use disorders.
Maddy summarySB 2494 creates new rules for companies that fund lawsuits (called "litigation financiers") in Rhode Island. It requires these companies to register with the Department of Business Regulation, post a $50,000 bond, and follow strict rules including no referral fees to lawyers, no misleading advertising, and no interference with consumers' legal decisions. The law protects people who receive lawsuit funding (consumers), their lawyers, and medical providers by prohibiting financiers from reporting unpaid debts to credit bureaus or taking control of case strategy. Key provisions ensure consumers retain full control over their legal claims and settlements. This directly affects anyone using third-party lawsuit funding in Rhode Island, adding oversight to a growing industry.
Provides that licensed independent clinical social workers be able to enroll and bill Medicaid directly for covered services provided to adults with Medicaid fee-for-service coverage.
Amends unfair claims practices law by requiring an insurance appraisal by a licensed appraiser where damage to a motor vehicle exceeds $5,000 (from $2,500) and eliminates language that prohibits an appraisal based on photos of a damaged motor vehicle.
Requires Rhode Island Medicaid to cover services provided by licensed certified professional midwives and to collect utilization and cost data, while allowing limits consistent with Medicaid rules.
Requires the governor, when presenting his proposed budget articles for each fiscal year to set forth the climate considerations that were undertaken to move the state towards the mandated goals set forth in the 2021 Act on Climate.
