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, click here.
Speaker Shekarchi announces 2024 housing legislation
Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) announced a 15-
bill package of legislation regarding housing issues, his fourth comprehensive suite of
housing bills since becoming Speaker in 2021. Much of the legislation stems from
testimony and discussions of both the Special Legislative Commission on Affordable
Housing and the Special Legislative Commission to Study the Entire Area of Land
Use, which have been meeting regularly since July 2022 to address ways Rhode
Island can meet its affordable housing needs in a manner that is sustainable and
equitable.
Senate leaders unveil Rhode Island HEALTH Initiative
Senate leaders unveiled a 25-bill legislative package aimed at improving health care
access and affordability in Rhode Island. To address the challenges facing the state’s
health care system, the Rhode Island HEALTH Initiative (Holistic Enhancement and
Access Legislation for Total Health) focuses on four key pillars: consumer protection,
provider availability and care quality, cost containment, and health system financial
stability.
Senate passes bill to protect patients’ pharmacy options
The Senate passed a bill (2024-S 2086) sponsored by Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11,
Portsmouth, Bristol) that prohibits insurers from requiring patients to get their
prescriptions from insurer-affiliated pharmacies, which are often mail order-only.
That practice, referred to as “white bagging,” can delay treatment, and causes problems for chemotherapy patients in particular. Rep. Justine A. Caldwell (D-Dist.
30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) is sponsoring the bill (2024-H 7365) in the
House.
McNamara introduces package of bills that targets chronic school absenteeism
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has submitted a package
of bills that seeks to curb chronic school absenteeism. The first (2024-H 7289) would
direct the Department of Education to establish a two-year pilot outreach and tracking
program at two public high schools. The second (2024-H 7290) would direct each
local education agency to adopt a program to monitor absenteeism data. The third
(2024-H 7195) would authorize a pilot program to address issues of asthma and
attendance among students. Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) has introduced
companion bills (2024-S 2527, 2024-S 2533, 2024-S 2515) in the Senate.
East Bay Senate delegation introduces Washington Bridge update legislation
Senate Majority Whip Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) and other East
Bay lawmakers have introduced legislation (2024-S 2727) that would require regular
monthly reports from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation on the status of
the Washington Bridge. House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63,
East Providence, Pawtucket) introduced similar legislation (2024-H 7759) in the
House.
Gu, Cortvriend introduce package of bills to strengthen shoreline access
Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep.
Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) are sponsoring legislation to
increase disclosure of shoreline access rights and conditions during the purchase of
oceanfront property (2024-S 2185, 2024-H 7376), allow towns to preserve recreation
easements on abandoned roads (2024-S 2641, 2024-H 7645), and allow the Coastal
Resources Management Council to designate historical footpaths as rights-of-way
(2024-S 2634, 2024-H 7750).
Sanchez bill would pay health care workers overtime on Sundays and holidays
Rhode Island hourly workers earn time-and-half when they work Sundays and
holidays, unless they work in an exempt industry, such as health care. Rep. Enrique
George Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence) has introduced legislation (2024-H 7789) to
remove that exemption for health care workers.
Solomon, LaMountain look to protect likeness rights for intercollegiate athletes
Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) and Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain
(D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) have introduced legislation (2024-H 7644, 2024-S
2674) that would prevent colleges and universities from adopting rules that limit a
student athlete’s right to compensation from their image or likeness.
Alzate, Cano bills would require coverage for diagnosing and treating infertility
Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Sen. Sandra Cano (DDist. 8, Pawtucket) have introduced two pieces of legislation that would mandate all
insurance contracts, plans or policies to provide coverage for the expense of
diagnosing and treating infertility. The first bill (2024-H 7878, 2024-S 2396) requires
coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility for women between the ages of
25 and 42 years, and the second bill (2024-H 7877) strikes out the eligibility
provision that designates only women between the ages of 25 and 42 years are
eligible for the reimbursement. It also includes language that would prohibit
precluding any individual or couple, including same-sex couples, who are otherwise
qualified for reimbursement for a test or treatment of infertility.
Forest Commission drafts report suggesting increased funds, coordination
A House commission led by Rep. Megan L. Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond,
Hopkinton) that has studied forest management in Rhode Island is recommending,
among other things, increased funding for forest management; mapping of public and
private roads in forested areas; and increased collaboration between the state, local
fire officials and landowners to better plan for fire response.
