Rep. Megan Cotter

Sets controls on Medicaid prescription drug costs by imposing transparency and accountability requirements on managed care organizations (MCOs) and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

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.

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $118,422 to the Rhode Island Parent Information Network to support Rhode Island’s Medicare-Medicaid Dual Ombudsman Program.

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.

Requires all peace officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their vehicles or on their person police departments to budget sufficient funds to purchase the epinephrine and autoinjectors and for training of every peace officer.

Reorganizes the coastal resources management council under the department of environmental management and create the bureau of coastal resources management.

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Maddy summaryHB 7244 requires the state to pay 50% of relocation costs for private utility companies (like electricity or gas providers) when highway projects necessitate moving their facilities. For public entities (such as cities, counties, or state agencies), the state covers 100% of these relocation costs. The bill applies specifically to highway projects on federal aid systems (like interstate highways) where the state receives federal funding. This change ensures that both private and public utility owners are compensated for relocation expenses tied to state highway construction, with no reimbursement for improvements ("betterment").

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to provide $331,064 in state education aid to the Town of Richmond, which is part of the Chariho Regional School District. The funds are intended to offset a reduction in total state education aid that the Governor included in the upcoming fiscal year budget. If approved, the state controller will issue payment orders to the general treasurer upon receipt of proper documentation. This measure directly affects the town's ability to receive state funding for education during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 7582 requires all public schools to conduct regular indoor air quality inspections - including HVAC system evaluations - at least once every five years. The inspections must assess environmental factors like temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10), and schools with HVAC systems must install filters meeting MERV 13 standards or the highest feasible level without harming system performance. Results must be shared with school principals, boards, and the education department, while the state must submit annual reports to the legislature on progress and funding needs for school air quality improvements. This bill directly affects public school buildings and their management, aiming to create healthier learning environments through science-based air quality standards.