Sen. John Burke

Maddy summarySB 2296 criminalizes intentionally obstructing traffic on federal or state highways by loitering (e.g., standing, sitting, kneeling) in ways that could interfere with vehicle movement. It sets mandatory prison sentences: 1-3 years for a first offense (with 60 days mandatory), 3-5 years for a second, 5-10 years for a third, and 5-30 years if death results. The law explicitly excludes lawful picketing or demonstrations related to labor disputes from this offense. It affects anyone who obstructs highway traffic in the specified manner, with penalties starting at one year in prison.

Enlarges definitions of prohibited acts that constitute hazing, make principals, coaches, athletic directors and others responsible for knowingly failing to take reasonable measures to prevent hazing and punishes serious injury.

Reinstates, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment for retirement plan year 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2042 requires the state to handle all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, except for snow and ice removal, which remains the responsibility of local entities. This bill directly affects state highway sidewalks by shifting the primary maintenance duty from local municipalities to the state government. The key provision amends existing laws to explicitly state that the state, not towns or cities, must maintain sidewalks (excluding snow/ice clearing). The bill takes effect upon passage and does not change sidewalk construction requirements, which still require state approval.

Clarifies the role of a corporation electing to be governed as a workers' cooperative to allow it to operate as a hiring hall under certain circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax deferral program for senior citizens aged 62 and older, disabled citizens, and disabled veterans in Rhode Island. It allows eligible homeowners to postpone paying property taxes on their single-family dwellings until they sell the property, pass away, or transfer ownership, with the unpaid taxes becoming a lien on the property that accrues 6% annual interest. The program excludes homes with reverse mortgages or less than 20% equity, requires applicants to file claims in good faith, and allocates $2 million annually starting in 2027 to fund the deferred tax payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Reproductive Health and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Data Privacy Act to protect personal health information related to reproductive and gender-affirming care from unauthorized collection and use. It defines specific categories of protected data, including gender-affirming care information and reproductive health details, and sets strict rules for how companies and organizations can collect, process, and share this information. The law requires clear, informed consent from individuals before their sensitive health data can be gathered, prohibits deceptive design practices that might trick users into sharing information, and restricts the use of broad terms of service agreements to obtain permission for data collection. The legislation primarily affects businesses and entities that handle consumer health data in Rhode Island, requiring them to implement specific privacy safeguards and obtain explicit authorization before processing sensitive reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare records.

Requires that the state’s share to support public library services in fiscal year 2027 be fixed at twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated and expended by the city or town in the second preceding fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Rhode Island's unfair discrimination protections in accident and sickness insurance policies to include additional categories such as sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and reproductive health services. It prohibits healthcare entities from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or discriminating against individuals based on characteristics including race, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, and gender identity, while also banning categorical exclusions for gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare. The legislation requires insurers to provide clear notices to enrollees about their nondiscrimination rights and grievance procedures, and establishes penalties for violations while preserving legitimate medical management decisions unrelated to bias.

Exempts from sales tax the amount paid for a parking space to a patron for one hour or less, in or on a parking facility on which a commercial establishment is located.