Sen. Lori Urso

Amends the Identity Theft Protection Act by eliminating current definitions and establishing new definitions. This act also raises the penalty provisions for violations.

Maddy summarySB 2109 prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from requiring or conducting insurance reviews for prescriptions used to treat opioid or alcohol use disorder. Specifically, it blocks reviews for medications containing methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, or for any FDA-approved medication managing opioid withdrawal. The bill directly affects patients seeking addiction treatment and insurers/pharmacy managers handling these prescriptions. It also requires Medicaid managed care organizations to use state-set medical necessity criteria for reviews. The law takes effect upon passage.

Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than $250 or no more than $1,000 and up to 11 months imprisonment for violating the law on the care of dogs.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the 241st Bristol Fourth of July Celebration, noting that Bristol hosts the oldest continuous Independence Day event in the United States. The bill specifically recognizes several 2026 honorees, including the event's general chairwoman, chief marshal, speakers, and representatives, for their leadership and service to the community. It directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies of the resolution to these individuals as a formal acknowledgment of their contributions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. for his significant contributions to civil rights and nonviolence in Rhode Island and beyond. It recognizes his leadership in national movements, his role as the inaugural director of the University of Rhode Island's Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, and his service on the Governor's Select Commission on Race and Police-Community Relations. The bill formally expresses gratitude for his life's work and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his family.

Maddy summarySB 2369, the Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act, directs state departments to collaborate on managing existing programs supporting early educators in licensed child care and early learning programs. It specifically allocates at least $1 million annually to continue the Child Care WAGE$ program, which provides salary supplements based on education to help improve compensation and retention. The bill focuses on sustaining current workforce development initiatives like the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program and registered apprenticeships for early educators. This directly affects early educators (including infant/toddler caregivers) who currently earn low wages - averaging $16.74/hour in Rhode Island - by strengthening existing compensation support mechanisms.

Creates an 11-member commission to study and make recommendations on a statewide teacher healthcare plan, and would report quarterly as of September 1, 2026, and submit a final report by September 1, 2027, and expires on December 31, 2027.

Mandates health insurance coverage for medically necessary hormonal/non-hormonal therapy to treat symptoms of peri-menopause/menopause, if therapy is recommended by qualified healthcare provider licensed in RI and has proven safe and effective.

Requires hospital emergency rooms and free-standing emergency care facilities to offer and provide pregnancy prevention medication to victims of sexual assault.

Maddy summarySB 2501 changes when state employees can negotiate salary boosts tied to years of service. Starting July 1, 2026, non-classified state employees (excluding faculty and those already receiving such boosts) will be allowed to negotiate "longevity payments" of 5% after 10 years and 10% after 20 years of service. The bill explicitly ends the current ban on new longevity increases (in place since 2011) and allows future collective bargaining agreements to include these provisions. It applies broadly to state employees across education boards, government agencies, and other state departments.