By Rhode Island General Assembly Legislative Press Bureau.
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease
Senate passes Lawson bill to expand parental, caregiving leave
The Senate passed legislation (2024-S 2121) sponsored by Senate Majority Whip
Valarie Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) that would expand Rhode Island’s
Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program from six weeks to 12. The bill now
heads to the House for consideration, where Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56,
Central Falls) has introduced companion legislation (2024-H 7171).
Senate approves Britto legislation to improve prescription drug affordability
The Senate approved legislation (2024-S 2720) sponsored by Sen. Robert Britto (DDist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) that would improve prescription drug
affordability for cancer patients and others with chronic diseases. The bill is part of
the Senate’s Rhode Island HEALTH (Holistic Enhancement and Access Legislation
for Total Health) Initiative, a 25-bill legislative package aimed at improving health
care access and affordability in Rhode Island. The measure now moves to the House
where similar legislation (2024-H 8041) has been introduced by Rep. Mia Ackerman
(D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln).
Senate OKs LaMountain bill that would prohibit noncompetition agreements
The Senate passed legislation (2024-S 2436) introduced by Sen. Matthew L.
LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) that would ban noncompetition
agreements except for those between a seller and buyer of a business. A
noncompetition agreement is a legal accord or clause in a contract specifying that an
employee must not enter into competition with an employer after the employment period is over. The measure now moves to the House, where similar legislation
(2024-H 8059) has been introduced by Rep. Jacquelyn M. Baginski (D-Dist. 17,
Cranston).
Senate passes DiMario bill to continue funding Psychiatry Resource Network
The Senate passed legislation (2024-S 2072) sponsored by Sen. Alana M. DiMario
(D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) that would provide a
stable funding mechanism for a psychiatric resource network for providers treating
children and new parents. The bill now heads to the House for consideration where
Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) has introduced
companion legislation (2024-H 7204).
O’Brien, President Ruggerio introduce bill to stiffen penalties for dog abuse
Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) and Senate President
Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) have introduced
legislation (2024-H 8095, 2024-S 2744) that would increase the penalty for violations
of the care of dogs statute to a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $1,000
per violation. The care of dogs statute includes regulations on tethering dogs, leaving
them outside and providing proper care and nutrition.
Euer bill would help Rhode Islanders pass on their homes without probate
Legislation (2024-S 2027) from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer
(D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) would allow Rhode Islanders to leave their home
to a beneficiary upon their death without the necessity of probate or a trust.
Morales bill increasing the minimum wage toward $20 heard in committee
Rep. David Morales’s (D-Dist. 7, Providence) legislation (2024-H 7579) to increase
the state minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and make future increases automatically
linked to inflation was heard in committee Wednesday.
Rep. Boylan aims to modernize school safety drill laws
Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) introduced legislation
(2024-H 8102) to clarify the gaps in Rhode Island law regarding school safety drills
in order to ensure students and staff are prepared for emergencies while minimizing
the interruption to instruction and the traumatic effects of training drills on staff and
students.
RIBLIA Caucus announces 2024 policy agenda
The Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander
Caucus (RIBLIA) released its 2024 legislative policy agenda at a press conference in
the Senate Lounge. The caucus is chaired by Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16,
Central Falls, Pawtucket) and Rep. Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket). The 24-
bill legislative package represents RIBLIA’s continued commitment to lifting up the
downtrodden, defending the marginalized and ensuring a fair and equitable society
for all Rhode Islanders.
House of Representatives honors actress Kali Reis
A panel of state representatives led by Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21,
Warwick) honored actress and East Providence native Kali Reis with a community
hero award for her support and advocacy on behalf of Murdered and Missing
Indigenous Women and Girls, a grassroots movement to raise awareness through
organizing marches, building databases of the missing, and conducting domestic
violence trainings and other informational sessions for police.
