Sen. Lori Urso

Maddy summarySB 704 requires Rhode Island nursing homes to publicly disclose detailed financial information starting July 1, 2025. Owners and managers with 5% or more ownership or financial influence must submit balance sheets, income statements, cash flow reports, and proof that services provided were at fair market value. This includes all assets, liabilities, expenses, and details on goods/services supplied to the facility. The public will access this data while protecting individual owner privacy, aiming to increase transparency in nursing home finances.

Directs the departments of human services and education to work together to sustain and strengthen existing workforce development and compensation programs for educators working in licensed child care and early learning programs statewide.

Establishes a process whereby large drug manufacturers, may be penalized for prescription drug price increases where there is no, or inadequate, new evidence to support the price increase.

Bans the sale of parrots at pet stores from a breeder or broker. The pet store may sell parrots obtained from animal care facilities or animal rescue organizations. The sale would also be prohibited at any outdoor markets or retail parking lots.

Maddy summarySB 755 designates rhythm and blues (defined as music blending pop, soul, funk, hip-hop, and electronic elements) as the state's official music. This procedural bill directly affects state symbolism and public representation, not policy or funding. The measure would take effect immediately upon passage and requires no further legislative action beyond approval. The bill is currently pending further study after a committee hearing.

Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person.

Develops standards of civics education in grades K-12 teaching history in the state of Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship, principals of democracy, and media literacy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges Rhode Island's federal delegation (Senators Reed and Whitehouse, and Representatives Magaziner and Amo) to demand reversal of policies harming health programs. It specifically calls for restoring U.S. foreign aid (including PEPFAR for HIV care), ending the Mexico City Policy, unfreezing Medicaid funding, and resuming CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The resolution has no legal force but aims to influence federal policy by advocating for reinstating global health cooperation and domestic health protections. It directly targets the federal delegation's role in addressing these specific policy changes.

Requires the electronic filing of domestic violence/sexual assault forms by law enforcement agencies, and enhances the information to be included on the reporting forms.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (SR 835) that formally commemorates the Feast of St. Joseph, celebrated annually on March 19th. It recognizes Saint Joseph's significance to Christians globally and specifically honors Italian-American cultural heritage in Rhode Island, referencing historical ties to Italian immigrants. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy to the Italian American Historical Society of Rhode Island. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or funding.