Rhode Island

PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- INSURANCE BENEFITS - Provides that adjunct faculty members at any state college or university who teach at least 50% of the hours regularly worked by full-time faculty in a semester would be eligible for the same medical benefits as other state employees.

EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND - Provides the board of trustees with tort claim protections and calls upon the board to undertake a feasibility study related to operations of the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center and the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission.

HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE - Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION - Grants an affirmative defense for certain privileged communications, including communications made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination.

HUMAN SERVICES -- ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN - Expands the definition of "educational program" for purposes of the abused and neglected children general law to include charter schools, parochial schools, after school programs, camps and various other programs involving children.

EDUCATION -- SCHOOL FUNDS AND PROPERTY - Directs the department of education to develop and adopt regulations for energy capable school buildings.

ELECTIONS -- FEDERAL ELECTIVE OFFICERS - Changes the manner by which presidential electoral college electors are elected and create a system of grouping of municipalities of equal populations, one of each of Rhode Island's electoral votes.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CHILD ADVOCATE OFFICE - Requires state agency cited in reports of the child fatality review panel to provide child advocate, speaker, senate president and governor with written response within 180 days addressing implementation of report recommendations.

MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGULATION OF RENTAL OF MOTORIZED BICYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS AND MOTORIZED TRICYCLES IN NEW SHOREHAM - Permits the town council of the town of New Shoreham to enact an ordinance that limits a license holder from renting or leasing more than thirty-four (34) motorized bicycles, motor scooters and/or motorized tricycles.

PROPERTY -- PUBLIC AUCTIONS OF REAL ESTATE - Requires public auctions by any city or town of real estate or an interest therein to only be done in person and not by electronic or remote procedures unless authorized by court order.

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.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE LICENSES - Allows the holder of a manufacturer’s license to sell one-sixth of a barrel keg or any otherwise permitted vessel containing no more than the amount of malt beverage allowed.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- VIDEO LOTTERY, GAMES, TABLE GAMES AND SPORTS WAGERING - Redefines sports wagering sections specifically change the percent the host facilities receive on sports wagering.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ABUSE IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES - Removes the intent requirement relative to the definitions of "abuse" within the chapter on "abuse in healthcare facilities" and amends the definitions of "abuse" and "neglect" with regard to elderly affairs by deleting the element of willful conduct.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT - Permits retired superior court magistrates to be assigned to perform service pursuant to §§ 8-2-11.1, 8-2-39, 8-2-39.1 or 8-2-39.2 and be reemployed by the superior court without any forfeiture or reduction of any retirement benefits.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- RELIEF OF INJURED AND DECEASED FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS - Removes the definition of "totally and permanently disabled" from the general law affording college tuition paid by the state to the spouse and children of active members of the police force who are killed or disabled during duty.

TAXATION -- RHODE ISLAND NEW QUALIFIED JOBS INCENTIVE ACT 2015 - Sunsets/discontinues the Jobs Development Act rate reduction as of July 1, 2026.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS - Updates the description of the early intervention program and the agency responsible for the program under Part C of the federal Individuals with disabilities education act.

EDUCATION -- CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION - Enables students enrolled in certain career and technical education programs to take firefighter exams upon completion of their program.

BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES - Permits a nurse who has the appropriate knowledge, credentials and clinical competency, to provide home services foot care, which includes routine foot and nail care, as well as implementing a plan of care that includes hygiene and fingernails.

BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES - Permits a nurse who has the appropriate knowledge, credentials and clinical competency, to provide home services foot care, which includes routine foot and nail care, as well as implementing a plan of care that includes hygiene and fingernails.

STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- LEAD HAZARD MITIGATION - Requires renovation projects of pre-1978 buildings to comply with provisions of chapter 24.6 of title 23 and chapter 21 of title 28, and requires presence of lead inspector and supervisor and requires lead training. DLT ensures compliance.

TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOUSING -- STATE-FUNDED RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM - Establishes the state-funded rental subsidy program.

LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - Mandates any contract for capital improvements at any healthcare facility adhere to the requirements of chapter 13 of title 37.