Rhode Island

TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION - Exempts from taxation the real and tangible personal property of MAP Behavioral Health Services, Inc. and MAP Development Corporation, located in the city of Providence.

INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES - Requires pharmacy benefit managers to provide medical justification for denying any claim for prescription drug benefits.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION - Prohibits the use of artificial turf as material to cover compacted solid waste at a sanitary landfill.

PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- ACQUISITION OF LAND - Provides that cities or towns may, by ordinance, designate "special ways" throughout the city or town which would be subject to alternative regulations to preserve its cultural, historic or scenic character.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE CONVERSION FACILITY ACT - Establishes the Plastic Waste Conversion Facility Act.

INSURANCE -- PHARMACY FREEDOM OF CHOICE -- FAIR COMPETITION AND PRACTICES - Prohibits pharmacy benefits managers from refusing to provide coverage for a prescription drug chosen for a patient by the patient’s healthcare provider.

ELECTIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS - Redefines "Political Party" and defines and distinguishes between "major parties" and "minor parties" based on the total number of votes a party's candidate received in the previous election among other factors.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL LIABILITY ACTIONS - Creates a medical malpractice tribunal that would screen medical malpractice actions before such actions could proceed in superior court.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCT SAFETY AND TOXIC METAL REMOVAL ACT OF 2026 - Sets a clear and enforceable standard for reducing the presence of harmful metals in personal care products, prioritizing public health through testing, labeling, and the development of safer alternatives.

PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE LANDS-LIABILITY LIMITATIONS - Changes the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.

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

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - Require that routine childhood and adult immunization vaccine recommendations that are developed from evidence based, medically sound scientific research by the department of health.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE - Repeals the collateral source rule in medical malpractice actions.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ORGANICS DIVERSION AT CATERED EVENTS ACT - Creates the "Organics Diversion at Catered Events Act" to require caterers to submit an annual diversion plan for food and organic waste to the department of environmental management for approval prior to permitting for covered events.

HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND CESSPOOL ACT OF 2007 - Provides that a certificate be provided for every contract for the purchase and sale of real estate certifying that the property has a functioning on-site wastewater treatment system or a sewer connection and not a cesspool.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION - Provides for punitive damages in civil actions where there is willful or wanton conduct or a reckless disregard for health, safety and welfare.

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTIONS -- ARBITRATION - Extends time for a party to apply for stay of arbitration to180 days; invalidates any provision that penalizes a party for seeking legal representation; requires arbitrator to provide notice of default to a party for failure to pay fees.