Rhode Island

HUMAN SERVICES -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT - Exempts individual retirement accounts as a countable resource for public assistance. This act also prohibits the state as a creditor against an ABLE account in the event of death of a beneficiary.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS - Expands the deinstitutionalization subsidy aid program in the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals to include adoptive parent(s) or siblings(s).

HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE - Requires the executive office of health and human services to consider a new element when reviewing the appropriate Medicaid payments to be paid to nursing facilities.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN - Requires EOHHS to provide self-measured blood pressure monitoring for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals, covering home monitors, training, data transmission, and co-interventions, with state funds if federal aid is unavailable.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT ACT - Established a cause of action against state government entities for violation of civil rights.

INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES - Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.

CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS - Amends the heading of § 11-47-60.1 to include the words "Dillon's Law."

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RESPONSIBLE RECYCLING, REUSE AND DISPOSAL OF MATTRESSES - Repeals the system for responsible recycling, reuse and disposal of mattresses.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DETENTION FOR FEDERAL CIVIL IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS - Prohibits state and municipal officials or body from entering into and renewing any agreements that will be used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS - Permits all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the same legal effect as in-person appearances.

BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- THE PRIMARY CARE PRESERVATION ACT - Prohibits health insurance companies or other payors from including in physician participation agreements any provisions that restrict or prevent a physician from charging patients reasonable administrative or operational fees to support overhead.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT OF 2004 -- HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT - Provides for an additional $117,600 to fund the rate increase recommended by the health insurance commissioner.

HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE - Requires Medicaid to cover services by licensed certified lactation counselors and EOHHS to oversee and implement the program and track related costs and use. It also ensures reimbursement consistent with similar providers.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Promotes fiscal integrity, transparency, and accountability in the state’s healthcare system by mandating that certain reporting covered health entities submit quarterly financial reports to the secretary.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN - Requires the EOHHS to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES - Includes the governor's commission on disabilities in the decision making process for the disability parking enforcement enhancement program and requires an annual report be submitted to the governor's commission.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES - Removes the vehicle registration restriction for Kei cars and Kei trucks and spells out the restrictions on the Kei vehicles in order to be operated on public highways in the state.

EDUCATION -- STUDENT COMPUTER DEVICE PRIVACY - Prohibits an educational institution or school district from accessing or using location data for tracking a student's institutional device or personal device, except in limited circumstances.

ELECTIONS -- LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITIES - Changes how voter are notified of elections and vote registration deadlines, and local board questions.