Here are the highlights from news and events in the General Assembly this week.
For more information on any of these items, visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease
House OKs McNamara bill to re-establish academy to assist parenting teens
The House of Representatives has approved legislation (2024-H 7560) introduced by
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) that would re-establish
the Sheila C. “Skip” Nowell Academy, an institution that focuses on the diverse
needs of pregnant and parenting teens, as a state school. The measure now moves to
the Senate, where similar legislation (2024-S 2807) has been introduced by Sen.
Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket).
Senate OKs Lauria bill to include climate change in economic planning
The Senate approved legislation (2024-S 2043A) sponsored by Sen. Pamela J. Lauria
(D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) to help ensure that climate change,
rising seas and coastal resiliency are considered as the state makes its economic
development plans. The measure now moves to the House, where similar legislation
(2024-H 7246) has been introduced by Rep. Jennifer Smith Boylan (D-Dist. 66,
Barrington, East Providence).
House OKs bill to ensure dense breast notifications following mammograms
The House of Representatives approved legislation (2024-H 7734A) sponsored by
Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence) to ensure that women with dense breast
tissue receive the most up-to-date notification following their mammograms. The bill
now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown,
East Greenwich, South Kingstown) is sponsoring companion legislation (2024-S2609).
House OKs Shanley bill allowing DEM to drain overflowing septic systems
The House of Representatives has passed legislation (2024-H 7654A) introduced by
Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich) that would give the
Department of Environmental Management the power to drain, remove or replace
private septic systems that are in a state of overflow, then bill the owner for the
service. The measure now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain
(D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) plans to introduce companion legislation.
House OKs bill prohibiting auto insurers from charging higher rates to widowed
The House approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18,
Cranston) to prohibit auto insurers from charging policyholders more solely because
they have been widowed. The legislation (2024-H 7606) prohibits auto insurers from
treating widows or widowers any differently than married people in terms of
classification or rates, beginning with policies issued after Jan. 1, 2025. The bill now
goes to the Senate, where Senate Majority Whip Valarie Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East
Providence) introduced the legislation (2024-S 2269).
Gu, Cortvriend bill would replace CRMC with Dept. of Coastal Resources
Legislation (2024-S 2928A, 2024-H 7844) sponsored by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist.
38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72,
Portsmouth, Middletown) and championed by Attorney General Peter Neronha would
replace the Coastal Resources Management Council with a new Department of
Coastal Resources under the executive branch.
Ujifusa, Tanzi bills would aid those with mental health, substance use disorders
Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) and Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist.
34, South Kingstown, Narragansett) have introduced a bill (2024-S 2612, 2024-H
7876) that would specify coverage standards for mental health and substance abuse
use disorders to ensure insurers cover mental health care at an equivalent level to
physical health care, and another (2024-S 2393, 2024-H 7624) that would prevent
insurers from requiring that patients obtain prior authorization before seeking innetwork mental health or substance use disorder health care.
Sen. Euer, Rep. Felix bill would extend minimum wage to domestic workers
The House Labor Committee heard testimony on legislation (2024-S 2021, 2024-H
7532) sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer (D-District
13, Newport, Jamestown) and Rep. Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket) that would
remove the exemption for domestic workers in state minimum wage law. Currently
Rhode Island domestic workers are only guaranteed the federal minimum wage of
$7.25 per hour.
Rep. Felix introduces slate of criminal justice reform bills
Rep. Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket) has introduced a slate of criminal justice
reform bills to make it easier for those released from prison to reintegrate into their
community by addressing issues including solitary confinement, the sealing of
dismissed charges, free phone calls for inmates and the elimination of cash bail for
misdemeanor charges.
Small Business Committee hears from businesses affected by bridge closure
The House Small Business Committee heard from small businesses that have been
negatively impacted by the closure of the westbound portion of the Washington
Bridge. The committee is chaired by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South
Kingstown, Narragansett). House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63,
East Providence, Pawtucket) worked with Chairwoman McEntee and the other East
Bay legislators to set up the meeting.
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly Legislative Press Bureau
