Sen. Lammis Vargas

Limits the use of certain criminal records and credit history reports in denying housing to prospective applicants, and provides for fines for failure to comply. This act further requires notices of denials to be sent to the prospective tenants.

Submits 2026 capital development program requesting the issuance of $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds to the voters for approval at the November, 2026, general election.

Changes utility company billing practices so that when a gas electric utility changes their customer billing, they are required to file a copy of the new bill with the PUC for approval, with a complete explanation of the changes.

Modifies the real estate sales disclosure form to include the disclosure of “blower door diagnostic air leakage testing” and advises that air leakage testing is recommended prior to purchasing a residential unit.

Includes municipal detention facility corporations as exempt from taxation, and requires that an amount equal to 27% of all tax that would have been collected if the property was taxable be paid to the municipality annually.

Maddy summarySR 49 is a joint resolution proposing to allocate $250,000 from the state treasury for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding would be directed to the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of RI (SUMHLC). The resolution aims to support SUMHLC's mission of promoting a coordinated system of community-based mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services. This appropriation is intended to help address the high rates of addiction and the need for readily available services in Rhode Island.

Maddy summarySB 390 updates laws concerning special education services for children with disabilities, affecting students, parents, and school districts. The bill clarifies that public school districts are responsible for providing disability-related services to students whose parents place them in private schools, while parents pay for tuition. It ensures a student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) remains active when they move to a new town and extends special education benefits up to age 21, with provisions for continuing through an academic year if a student turns 21 mid-program. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill mandates that receiving school districts report quarterly to sending districts on student status and limits the sending district's financial responsibility for special education and transportation costs.

Requires applications for energy facilities to take into consideration the 2021 Act on Climate and how the facility may advance or delay the greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Maddy summarySB 878 establishes specific caseload limits for workers at the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). These limits apply to various responsibilities, such as active investigations, ongoing in-home services, and children in out-of-home or treatment foster care. The bill also requires DCYF to conduct annual pay rate reviews for its employees. This review aims to ensure competitive compensation by comparing salaries with similar positions in other New England states.

Maddy summarySB 406, known as the Microplastics Reduction Act, aims to reduce microplastic pollution within the state. Beginning January 1, 2029, it prohibits manufacturers from selling or distributing products that contain intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles. The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Management, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop a microplastics testing plan by July 1, 2028, to monitor environmental media. Furthermore, by January 1, 2029, these departments must establish a statewide microplastics strategy plan to assess impacts, identify sources, and recommend policies for reduction.