The Legislative Press Bureau at the Rhode Island General Assembly has provided a look at the highlights from this week at the Rhode Island General Assembly, June 13- 17, 2022.
For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease
Assembly approves gun safety measures
The General Assembly approved bills to ban large-capacity gun magazines (2022-H
6614A, 2022-S 2653), limit sales of guns and ammunition to adults over 21 years old
(2022-H 7457aa, 2022-S 2637A), and penalize the open carrying of loaded rifles and
shotguns in public (2022-S 2825, 2022-H 7358A). The large-capacity magazines bill
is sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32,
Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East
Greenwich, West Greenwich), the purchase age bill by Senate Majority Whip
Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) and Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist. 34,
South Kingstown, Narragansett), and the open carry bill by Senate Majority Leader
Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) and Rep. Leonela “Leo” Felix (D-Dist.
61, Pawtucket). The bills now go to the governor.
Click here to see large-capacity magazines release.
Click here to see purchase age news release.
Click here to see open carry news release.
House approves 2023 state budget bill
The House approved a $13.6 billion state budget for the 2023 fiscal year that provides
targeted taxpayer relief and directs spending of the remainder of the state’s American
Rescue Act Plan (ARPA) funds to strengthening existing commitments. The bill
includes raises for many health and service providers, eliminates the automobile
excise tax a year earlier than scheduled, provides economic relief for families with
children, retirees, veterans and the disabled and businesses and invests ARPA funds
in housing, infrastructure, the blue economy and more. The budget bill (2022-H
7123Aaa), sponsored by House Finance Committee Chairman Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown), now goes to the Senate, which is expected to take it
up Wednesday. Click here to see news release.
Unemployment benefits extension wins Assembly approval
The General Assembly gave its approval to legislation to extend by one year changes
to unemployment regulations to put Rhode Islanders back to work. The legislation,
sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) and
House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33,
South Kingstown, Narragansett), extends the sunset on legislation enacted last year to
increase the wages people can earn before having their benefits reduced, through June
30, 2023. The measure now heads to the governor’s office.
Click here to see news release.
Assembly gives nod to bill extending speech therapy in schools
The General Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro
Tempore Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) and House
Education Committee Chairman Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick,
Cranston) to allow speech therapy services to be provided in school to children who
need them, regardless of age. The legislation (2022-S 2570, 2022-H 7273) now heads
to the governor for consideration.
Click here to see news release.
Assembly OKs joint resolution to study Rhode Island’s public education system
The General Assembly approved a resolution (2022-H 7784, 2022-S 2442)
introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and Sen.
Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) that
creates a commission to study, review, and make recommendations on how to most
efficiently and effectively administer the governance of the pre-K through 16 public
education system in Rhode Island.
Click here to see news release.
Legislature OKs bill allowing interstate compact for psychological services
The General Assembly passed legislation (2022-S 2605, 2022-H 7501) introduced by
Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) and Rep. Joseph
M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) that would authorize the governor to
enter into the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact and would designate an office
to administer it. The act would also create an interstate agreement that would allow
limited telepsychological practice to be conducted across state lines among member
states. The measure now moves to the governor’s office.
Click here to see news release.
Assembly OKs bill preventing self-exclusion gamblers from collecting winnings
The General Assembly passed legislation (2022-H 7424, 2022-S 2496A) sponsored
by Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) and Sen. Frank A.
Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence) that would provide procedures to
prevent problem gamblers on the state’s self-exclusion list from collecting their
winnings at Rhode Island’s two casinos.
Click here to see news release.
General Assembly passes legislation making it easier for food banks to fundraise
The General Assembly passed legislation (2022-H 7911A, 2022-S 2550A) sponsored
by Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) and Sen. Bridget
Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, Narragansett, South
Kingstown) that would exempt nonprofit and not-for-profit food banks from the
registration requirements under the “solicitation by charitable organizations” statute.
The act would not apply to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
Click here to see news release.
Senate OKs transport of mental health 911 responses to appropriate settings
The Senate has approved legislation (2022-S 2476A) sponsored by Senate Health and
Human Services Committee Chairman Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston,
Providence) to authorize emergency medical services to divert transports resulting
from non-emergency 911 calls about mental or behavioral health to appropriate
alternative settings, and requiring commercial health insurers and Medicaid to
reimburse for that transport. The bill would ensure access to more appropriate,
effective treatment and help overcrowded emergency departments. The legislation
now goes to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4,
Providence) is sponsoring a similar bill (2022-H 8282).
Click here to see news release.
Senate approves Leader McCaffrey’s bill to address lead pipes
The Senate approved legislation (2022-S 2765Aaa) sponsored by Majority Leader
Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) that would create a lead water supply
replacement program for both public and private service lines, with a requirement that
all affected lines are replaced within 10 years. The measure now moves to the House,
where similar legislation (2022-H 8153) has been introduced by Rep. David Morales
(D-Dist. 7, Providence).
Click here to see news release