Rep. Grace Diaz

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Providence, Rhode Island, as the "George Nee Bridge." It directly affects the state's transportation infrastructure by officially naming the structure where U.S. Route 44 crosses over Interstate 95. The key provision requires that signs displaying the new name be installed using private funds, with their design and placement approved by the state Department of Transportation. Once passed, the act will take effect immediately to formalize this permanent name change.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Rhode Island law to rename drug court as recovery court and establish a new position for a drug recovery court magistrate within the superior court. The magistrate would be appointed by the presiding justice with senate approval, serve ten-year terms, and preside over adult offenders charged with non-violent drug-related offenses who are deemed drug-addicted. Key provisions include the magistrate's authority to enforce program conditions, impose incarceration for violations, and make final decisions on program admission and participant eligibility based on specific criteria. The bill also grants the magistrate powers to handle matters related to sexual offender registration and allows for appeals of magistrate orders to a superior court justice.

Empowers the division of motor vehicles to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for-profit entity, Dominican independence and heritage award committee of RI.

Maddy summaryHB 7865 creates the "Strengthen Rhody Homes" program to help Rhode Island homeowners retrofit or build primary residences to better withstand hurricanes and catastrophic weather using federal or other grant funds (not state funds). The program targets owner-occupied single-family homes (excluding condos or mobile homes) that meet specific criteria, including having wind insurance, being in good repair, and following Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) standards for storm resilience. Homeowners must secure pre-qualification from an IBHS-certified evaluator, hire three approved contractors, and complete work to IBHS standards before grants are paid directly to contractors. Administered by the state’s insurance division, the program does not obligate the state to fund projects and requires random inspections to prevent fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 7579) formally rescinds Rhode Island's 1861 ratification of the Corwin Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment from the Civil War era. The Corwin Amendment aimed to protect slavery by prohibiting future constitutional amendments that could interfere with "domestic institutions" like slavery in states. Rhode Island's ratification is being repealed because the amendment was never adopted by enough states, became obsolete after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, and has no current legal effect. The resolution is purely procedural, correcting a historical record without changing any existing law or constitutional provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 7538 requires healthcare providers and facilities to inform patients when artificial intelligence (AI) is used to document their in-person or telehealth visits. It directly affects patients receiving care and all licensed healthcare professionals (including doctors, nurses, and dentists) and healthcare facilities covered under the law. The bill mandates clear notification about AI’s specific role in recording visit details, defining AI broadly to include technologies like natural language processing and machine learning. This law focuses solely on transparency about documentation practices, not on regulating AI's medical decision-making or other uses.

Protects people attending Rhode Island court proceedings from civil arrest without a judicial warrant, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits ICE employees, agents, or officials from being within 200 feet of any polling place during voting hours. It directly affects ICE personnel by restricting their presence near voting locations during elections. The key provision adds a new section to election law creating a 200-foot buffer zone around polling places to prevent potential interference. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not alter voting procedures or eligibility.

Authorizes the city of Providence to issue not more than $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds and notes to fund the providence housing trust fund to finance affordable multi-family housing projects in the city.

Maddy summaryHB 7859 updates certain sections of the state's insurance law to remove outdated provisions affecting domestic insurance companies. The bill focuses on modernizing the legal language of insurance regulations without creating new requirements or directly impacting specific policyholders. It was introduced to the House Corporations committee on February 27, 2026, and currently remains in the referral stage. This is a procedural update to administrative code, not a substantive policy change.