Rhode Island

TOWNS AND CITIES -- OPTIONAL RETIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF POLICE FORCE AND FIREFIGHTERS - Changes the retirement allowance based on accrued benefits.

PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS - Adds the administrator of community confinement and the home confinement coordinator to the state retirement system.

PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS - Provides that retirees in the state pension system receive cost of living adjustments compounded into the retiree’s total retirement benefits each year beginning January 1, 2026. This act would be prospective only.

EDUCATION -- TEACHERS RETIREMENT - Gives teachers who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of 135 days.

TAXATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND FAMILY CAREGIVER TAX CREDIT ACT - Establishes a tax credit against income tax based on eligible expenses incurred for care and support of an eligible family member.

HUMAN SERVICES -- JOINT COMMISSION TO STUDY WAYS TO MAXIMIZE REVENUE FOR CHILD WELFARE AND CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES - Establishes a twenty-seven (27) member joint commission to study ways to maximize revenue for child welfare and children’s behavioral health services.

HUMAN SERVICES -- THE RHODE ISLAND WORKS PROGRAM - Amends the Rhode Island works program to increase the cash support pass-through to $100 for one child and $200 for more than one child.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES - Requires DCYF to establish segregated savings account for foster care child receiving SS, SSI, veterans benefits or railroad retirement benefits to manage the accounts and keep child eligible for future benefits.

HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS - Prohibits the Rhode Island medical assistance program from requiring prior authorization or a step therapy protocol for the coverage of a medication classified as an anticonvulsant or antipsychotic.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUNDING PLAN ACT - Includes both the MomsPRN and PediPRN teleconsultation lines in the healthcare services funding contributions payable by health insurers.

PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- ADMINISTRATION - Changes the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SPECIAL STOPS REQUIRED - Permits a driver to admit to a violation for failure to stop for a school bus and pay the violation of $300 directly to the municipality or its designee, without the need for a court appearance.

EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT - Commencing on 7/1/2026, allows members, state and municipal employees to retire when they have at least 28 years of active service and their retirement age, when combined with the number of their years of service reaches, the number 85.

EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' TENURE - Requires any teacher under suspension for criminal conduct to repay the school district for any salary received if convicted of a felony, less any amounts paid to satisfy taxes and employee benefits. It also makes one typographical correction.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OPEN MEETINGS - Provides that public meetings involving collective bargaining agreements of school teachers shall be open to the public.

EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS - Changes the maximum term of employment for a superintendent from three (3) to five (5) years.

EDUCATION -- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS - Provides that no new charter school application shall be granted, if the proposed school is a network charter school or the expansion of an existing charter school creates a network charter school.

EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT - Allows retired teachers, state and municipal workers to be employed without the loss of any retirement benefits, as long as they reside in Rhode Island at least 270 days and have an annual income from all sources that is less than $55,000.

EDUCATION -- TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL PUPILS BEYOND CITY AND TOWN LIMITS - Removes the towns of Warren and Bristol from school bus district Region III and place Warren and Bristol in school bus district Region V.