Rhode Island

ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DOGS - Increases penalties for a second or subsequent offense with a fine of not less than $250 or no more than $1,000 and up to 11 months imprisonment for violating the law on the care of dogs.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RESTRICTIONS ON STATE AND MUNICIPAL COOPERATION WITH CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT - Prohibits state or local authorities from voluntary participation in federal civil immigration enforcement. It would not prohibit compliance with a judicial warrant or court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTH PROFESSIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM - Expands the health professional loan repayment program to healthcare providers practicing in primary care health settings.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- JUDICIAL SELECTION - Requires individuals seeking a judicial nomination to reapply to JNC every 3 years and make those individuals selected as finalists, eligible only for the court in which they applied and were chosen during the five years following their selection.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- THEFT, EMBEZZLEMENT, FALSE PRETENSES, AND MISAPPROPRIATION - Provides that when two or more individuals associate to accomplish the crime of shoplifting, that they would be deemed to be associated for the particular purpose of shoplifting and be guilty of a felony.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION ACT OF 2015 - Amends the Identity Theft Protection Act by eliminating current definitions and establishing new definitions. This act also raises the penalty provisions for violations.

EDUCATION -- ACCESS FOR CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS - Requires public schools to give congressionally chartered youth organizations limited access for recruitment and brief student presentations with parent notice, while preserving school safety and discretion.

FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND KRATOM ACT - Provides that all kratom products for sale would be stored and kept in a locked case, until sold.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- FARMLAND PRESERVATION ACT - Prohibits any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee.

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION - Requires that a conspicuous display be a visual illustration showing each component of the utility bill and the cost associated with each component of said bill, subject to the approval of the division of public utilities (DPUC).

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES - Allows persons with disabilities to receive up to two (2) motor vehicle disability parking privilege placards.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION - Funds the state crime victim compensation program through an additional one dollar ($1.00) fine on traffic violations, exclusive of violations related to the parking of vehicles.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE - Provides that statements by a health care provider regarding the unanticipated outcome of a patient's medical care and treatment shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission.

INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT - Prohibits health benefit plans reviewing prescriptions for opioid addiction treatment.

INSURANCE -- CASUALTY INSURANCE RATING - Permits on and after July 1, 2027, for an insurer to consider the zip code in which the vehicle is garaged; provided that, the calculation of the zip code is segmented by the municipality where the vehicle is garaged.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RESIDENTIAL REUSE INCENTIVE ACT - Creates a state program and fund to finance adaptive reuse and mixed-use housing projects, requires affordable units and labor standards, and provides oversight to expand housing until 2035.

EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS - Requires all schools and educational institutions to develop and implement a school safety plan that would provide for immediate access to school facilities by first responders in an emergency.