Sen. Ryan Pearson

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Rhode Island-Ireland Trade Commission to strengthen economic ties between the state and Ireland. The seven-member commission will be appointed by the governor and state legislative leaders, with members serving unpaid terms of two to four years. Its main duties include studying trade opportunities, promoting business and academic exchanges, and providing recommendations to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. The commission can raise its own funds through donations and grants to cover administrative costs and must submit annual reports to state officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Ryan's Law, updates regulations for healthcare professionals who prescribe controlled substances by introducing stricter penalties for overprescribing that leads to death. Under the new rules, any provider found guilty of this specific offense must face a mandatory three-year probationary period, during which any further related violations could result in license suspension or revocation. In addition to this probation, the law allows licensing boards to impose fines of up to $1,000 for a second offense and up to $5,000 for each subsequent offense, while also permitting the assessment of administrative costs against the licensee. The legislation applies to all professionals regulated by boards that oversee the prescribing of controlled substances and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Creates a protective legal shield for healthcare providers, precluding any civil/criminal action by other states/persons against healthcare providers involving persons seeking access to transgender and reproductive healthcare services provided in RI.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Social Work Licensure Compact that allows licensed social workers to practice across multiple member states with a single license. It creates a commission to manage the system, which includes sharing information about licenses and disciplinary actions between states. The law aims to improve public access to services, reduce the need for multiple licenses, and support military families by enabling easier interstate practice. Additionally, the compact permits the use of telehealth to expand service availability while maintaining each state's authority to protect public safety.

Adopts a counseling compact for the interstate practice of licensed professional counselors by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses governed and administrated by commission.

Makes care recipients eligible for temporary caregiver benefits and increase the maximum temporary caregiver benefit weeks from six (6) to eight (8) weeks over of period of two years.

Adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact and would establish a joint public agency known as the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact commission to administer the provisions of the compact between the states.

Prohibits hospitals and other medical providers from reporting medical debt to consumer reporting agencies. A violation of this chapter may be pursued on behalf of the consumer by the attorney general.

Provide the maximum number of unrelated persons living together that could be constitute an individual household would not be less than one person per bedroom.

Provides that upon application, and good cause, the state may waive the bonding requirement for certified minority business enterprises or women owned businesses.