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.                                                      

 

 

Pro-Palestinian protests are breaking out once again at U.S. university campuses. Texas police are back at the University of Texas at Austin campus today, forcibly removing protesters in a chaotic scene. Meanwhile, protesters at Columbia University remain on campus after a 2 p.m. Eastern deadline to disband came and went.       Reports say at least one deputy U.S. Marshal is dead and three other law enforcement officers have been shot in Charlotte, North Carolina. The officers were reportedly serving a domestic violence warrant. Roads in the area have been closed and a SWAT team is on the scene in what's believed to be a barricade situation.       The star witness in former President Trump's criminal hush money trial says he won't talk about the case anymore. Ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen said he will "cease posting." The trial will resume tomorrow in New York City.        South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem reportedly details when when she had to shoot and kill her 14-month-old dog in her upcoming book. According to the Guardian, Noem calls the dog "untrainable" and "less than worthless," writing that the story illustrates how she's willing to do what's necessary, even if it's "difficult, messy and ugly." In response to the article, Noem posted on X that "tough decisions like this happen all the time on a farm."       One study shows people who have Long COVID are more likely to have mental health issues. The study published by the American Medical Association studied over 25 thousand U.S. adults with and without long COVID. It discovered that long COVID patients were twice as likely to experience depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, cognitive problems and disabling fatigue.       Some network NFL-pregame shows are undergoing major shakeups. At CBS, former quarterbacks Boomer Esiason a Phil Simms are out at "The NFL Today" with former QB Matt Ryan and former defensive end JJ Watt being their replacements. Meanwhile over at ESPN, The Athletic reports former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is joining "Monday Night Countdown" program.       

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