Woonsocket Radio News Room

State House view from the southThis week at the

General Assembly

 

STATE HOUSE — Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease

 

 

§  Senate passes Lawson bill to expand parental, caregiving leave

The Senate passed legislation (2024-S 2121) sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Valarie Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) that would expand Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program from six weeks to 12. The bill now heads to the House for consideration, where Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls) has introduced companion legislation (2024-H 7171).

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate approves Britto legislation to improve prescription drug affordability
The Senate approved legislation (2024-S 2720) sponsored by Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) that would improve prescription drug affordability for cancer patients and others with chronic diseases. The bill is part of the Senate’s Rhode Island HEALTH (Holistic Enhancement and Access Legislation for Total Health) Initiative, a 25-bill legislative package aimed at improving health care access and affordability in Rhode Island. The measure now moves to the House where similar legislation (2024-H 8041) has been introduced by Rep. Mia Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln).
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate OKs LaMountain bill that would prohibit noncompetition agreements
The Senate passed legislation (2024-S 2436) introduced by Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) that would ban noncompetition agreements except for those between a seller and buyer of a business. A noncompetition agreement is a legal accord or clause in a contract specifying that an employee must not enter into competition with an employer after the employment period is over. The measure now moves to the House, where similar legislation (2024-H 8059) has been introduced by Rep. Jacquelyn M. Baginski (D-Dist. 17, Cranston).
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate passes DiMario bill to continue funding Psychiatry Resource Network

The Senate passed legislation (2024-S 2072) sponsored by Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) that would provide a stable funding mechanism for a psychiatric resource network for providers treating children and new parents. The bill now heads to the House for consideration where Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) has introduced companion legislation (2024-H 7204).

Click here to see news release.

 

§  O’Brien, President Ruggerio introduce bill to stiffen penalties for dog abuse

Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) have introduced legislation (2024-H 8095, 2024-S 2744) that would increase the penalty for violations of the care of dogs statute to a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $1,000 per violation. The care of dogs statute includes regulations on tethering dogs, leaving them outside and providing proper care and nutrition.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Euer bill would help Rhode Islanders pass on their homes without probate

Legislation (2024-S 2027) from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) would allow Rhode Islanders to leave their home to a beneficiary upon their death without the necessity of probate or a trust.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Morales bill increasing the minimum wage toward $20 heard in committee

Rep. David Morales’s (D-Dist. 7, Providence) legislation (2024-H 7579) to increase the state minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and make future increases automatically linked to inflation was heard in committee Wednesday.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Rep. Boylan aims to modernize school safety drill laws

Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) introduced legislation (2024-H 8102) to clarify the gaps in Rhode Island law regarding school safety drills in order to ensure students and staff are prepared for emergencies while minimizing the interruption to instruction and the traumatic effects of training drills on staff and students.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  RIBLIA Caucus announces 2024 policy agenda

The Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Caucus (RIBLIA) released its 2024 legislative policy agenda at a press conference in the Senate Lounge. The caucus is chaired by Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) and Rep. Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket).  The 24-bill legislative package represents RIBLIA’s continued commitment to lifting up the downtrodden, defending the marginalized and ensuring a fair and equitable society for all Rhode Islanders.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  House of Representatives honors actress Kali Reis

A panel of state representatives led by Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) honored actress and East Providence native Kali Reis with a community hero award for her support and advocacy on behalf of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, a grassroots movement to raise awareness through organizing marches, building databases of the missing, and conducting domestic violence trainings and other informational sessions for police.

Click here to see news release.                                                      

 

 

President Trump hosted Republican lawmakers at the White House in an apparent show of solidarity during the government shutdown. During a Rose Garden luncheon for GOP Senators, Trump said "radical" Democrats are holding the government hostage. Democratic lawmakers remain dug in on efforts to extend healthcare subsidies, while Republicans are demanding the government reopen before any negotiations take place.        Vice President JD Vance says things are going well with the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, but there's more work to do. Speaking from Israel, Vance said things are going better than he thought. The vice president will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tomorrow.        The state of Arizona is filing a lawsuit attempting to force House Speaker Mike Johnson to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva [[ gree-HALL-vuh ]]. The Arizona Democrat won a special election to fill her late father's seat almost a month ago. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said the case is about whether someone duly elected may be denied rightful office, and accuses Johnson of delaying an order to prevent a vote regarding the Epstein files.        An atmospheric river is beginning in the Pacific Northwest with the potential to impact the region with heavy rain and snow. An active pattern will kick into high gear this week allowing for up to a foot of rain in coastal areas as well as several feet of snow at higher elevations. A level one out of four flash flood threat has been issued by NOAA's Weather Prediction Center for the Northern California coast, coastal Oregon and parts of western Washington for Friday and Saturday which are expected to be the heaviest days of rainfall.        French officials say the jewelry stolen from the Louvre Museum over the weekend is valued at more than 100-million dollars. Thieves broke into the museum Sunday morning, shortly before it opened to the public. They're thought to have gained entry through an upstairs window using some type of mechanical lift.        The Mega Millions jackpot is in record territory. Tuesday night's drawing is worth an estimated 650-million dollars with a cash option of just over 304-million. No one has won the jackpot prize in three-and-a-half months.       

Old News Archives