Maddy summarySB 2605 creates a new Rhode Island civil cause of action, allowing individuals to sue federal officials or entities acting "under color of federal law" for violating constitutional rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. It directly affects Rhode Island residents harmed by federal actions that deprive them of constitutional rights, such as due process or equal protection. Key provisions remove state immunity defenses (including sovereign immunity) and require courts to award attorney fees to successful plaintiffs, while setting a three-year statute of limitations for filing claims. The bill does not impose new federal duties but enables state courts to address federal constitutional violations through civil lawsuits. It is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee after introduction on February 13, 2026.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2678 increases the monthly minimum retirement benefit paid to spouses, domestic partners, and former spouses of retired teachers. This change directly affects individuals who receive survivor benefits under the teachers' retirement system. The bill raises the minimum monthly payment amount without altering other retirement eligibility rules. It was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Maddy summarySB 2570 requires healthcare providers and facilities to inform patients when artificial intelligence (AI) is used to document in-person or telehealth visits. It applies to all licensed healthcare professionals (like doctors, nurses, and dentists) and facilities that use AI for this specific purpose - recording visit details, not for making medical decisions. The law mandates clear notification to patients before or during their visit, defining AI broadly to include technologies like language models and machine learning systems. This notification requirement takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.
Maddy summarySB 2047 clarifies the legal definitions of criminal offenses by adjusting imprisonment thresholds. It redefines a felony as any offense punishable by more than 364 days in jail (previously one year), a misdemeanor as 6 months to 364 days (previously up to one year), and specifies petty misdemeanors and violations with updated fine limits. This bill directly affects all criminal cases classified under these categories in the state's legal system, ensuring consistent application of sentencing terms. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.
Creates additional safety features for AI companion technology that include addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial harm to others expressed by a user. It also requires notification the AI companion does not have human emotions.
Maddy summarySB 2197 requires mental health professionals (such as licensed therapists, counselors, and social workers) to obtain specific written consent before using artificial intelligence for administrative tasks like scheduling or record-keeping. The bill bans AI tools designed to simulate emotional bonds or make therapeutic decisions during client sessions, including those used with recorded therapy. It prohibits AI from directly interacting with clients or replacing human judgment in treatment, while allowing limited AI use for non-therapeutic support under strict oversight. The law applies to all licensed mental health providers offering therapy or psychotherapy services in the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends legal immunity protections to advanced practice registered nurses, granting them the same liability protections as physicians under Virginia's mental health law. The key provision states that neither physicians nor licensed advanced practice registered nurses can be held liable in court for their participation in mental health proceedings unless actual fraud or gross, willful, or wanton negligence is proven. It also clarifies that neither group can be sued for damages resulting from a patient exercising rights protected by the mental health law, such as discharge decisions, even if those actions contradict written medical orders. This change directly affects mental health facilities and healthcare providers by aligning the legal protections for nurses with those for physicians in this specific context.
Aligns the implementation date of youth camp licensing within the operational, and statutory framework of the Rhode Island department of human services and department of children, youth and families.
Maddy summarySB 2432 would require Rhode Island's public colleges (URI, RIC, CCRI) to automatically admit qualifying residents who earned an Eagle Scout rank (Scouting America) or Gold Award (Girl Scouts of the USA), provided they meet basic application requirements like submitting required documents. It does not guarantee admission to competitive programs like nursing or engineering, nor does it affect tuition costs or residency rules. Institutions must verify awards through official documentation, and admission remains subject to meeting all non-academic application steps. The bill takes effect for Fall 2026 applications and applies only to state residents.
Maddy summarySB 2480 makes traffic accident data publicly accessible as a public record, subject to restrictions under federal law (23 U.S.C. § 407). Public bodies must provide written notice of these federal usage restrictions when releasing the data. The bill does not change federal law but requires government entities to make this data available to the public while prohibiting its use for purposes banned by the federal statute. This directly affects citizens seeking traffic accident information and government agencies managing public records.