Mandates that athletic teams that are sponsored by a public school or a private school whose teams compete against a public school, be designated as (1) "males", "men" or "boys"; (2) "females", "women" or "girls"; or (3) "coed" or "mixed".
Expands the obligations of employers to create, maintain and retain their employees' personnel records, it requires that records be retained for at least 3 years after employee's termination. It also increases the financial penalties for each violation.
Maddy summarySB 2078, the School Libraries Act, requires every public school in Rhode Island (including traditional schools, charters, and vocational schools) to have a permanent library space and a certified school librarian. It mandates that schools with 250+ students have a full-time librarian by 2027 (high schools), 2029 (middle/high schools), and 2031 (all K-12), while smaller schools must have at least half-time coverage. The bill specifies that libraries must include adequate book collections, student study space, technology, and daily student access, with librarians available during open library time. It also defines key terms like "information literacy" and "media literacy" to guide implementation. The law would take effect upon passage.
Establishes a digital electronics right to repair, which allows for digital electronic equipment and parts that are sold in this state on or after January 1, 2026, to be repaired at an independent repair provider.
Maddy summarySB 2135 repeals a law that previously prevented people from gaining legal rights to footways (sidewalks or pedestrian paths) through long-term, continuous use without permission. This change would allow property owners or neighbors to potentially claim footway access rights by meeting standard adverse possession requirements, removing the prior exception for carriage access. The bill directly affects property owners involved in disputes over sidewalk access or easements, enabling new legal pathways for resolving such claims.
Requires specific notice of the tax sale to the taxpayer with a copy of this § 44-9-10 attached thereto. Failure to do so would render the tax sale null and void.
Maddy summarySB 2390 reclassifies certain gift card fraud offenses as theft (larceny), directly affecting gift card holders and those who commit fraud against them. It makes it a crime to steal or alter gift cards or their redemption information with intent to defraud, imposing fines up to $1,000 or one year in jail for amounts under $1,500. For offenses exceeding $1,500 or recurring within six months, standard larceny penalties apply. The bill defines key terms like "cardholder" and "forgery" to clarify these offenses. This changes penalties from civil fines to criminal charges for significant fraud.
Increases the fines for certain traffic offenses to one hundred dollars ($100) and adds fines of one hundred dollars ($100) for offenses required by law but omitted from the schedule.
Prohibits cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 2637 commemorates the 182nd anniversary of Dominican Republic Independence on February 27, 2026, and recognizes the contributions of Dominicans to Rhode Island and the United States. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the Dominican Republic's leadership and the Dominican-American Association, highlighting the community's economic and civic impact in Rhode Island (approximately 54,000 people). As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or obligations.
