Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

This 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 unveils bills to address health care accessibility, affordability
Senator Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, along with Senate leadership announced the introduction of a nine-bill package of legislation focused on addressing health care accessibility and affordability. The legislation would remove burdensome administrative requirements that present barriers to patient care, protect patients from crushing medical debt, and otherwise improve access and lower costs.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Legislators introduce right to repair bills
Several legislators have introduced a package of bills aimed at defending Rhode Islanders’ right to repair their own belongings. Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence) and Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) have introduced the Digital Electronics Right to Repair Act (2025-H 5246, 2025-S 0060) to allow owners and independent repair shops access to manuals, parts and tools necessary to repair electronic products. The Agricultural Equipment Right to Repair Act (2025-H 5159), sponsored by Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), would enact similar requirements for electronics-enabled farm equipment. Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) and Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) are sponsoring similar legislation (2025-H 5017) for assistive technology devices, such as wheelchairs.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Cotter, Ujifusa submit bill raising ‘circuit breaker’ tax credit 

Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth Bristol) and Rep. Megan Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton) have introduced legislation (2025-S 0027, 2025-H 5194) to provide relief to some of the state’s most vulnerable households by raising the eligibility limit and the maximum credit for the “circuit breaker” tax credit, which benefits low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Click here to see news release.

 

  • LaMountain bill would protect workers’ First Amendment rights in workplace
    Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation (2025-S 0126) that would protect the rights of employees in the workplace who refuse attendance at employer-sponsored meetings regarding political or religious matters, as well as refusing to listen to a political or religious speech.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • O’Brien bill would require lifeguards, park rangers to be trained in Narcan use

Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) has introduced legislation (2025-H 5273) that would require all lifeguards, park and forest rangers who work at any public beach or facility to be trained in administering opioid antagonists, such as Narcan. The bill would also require all state and municipal public beaches or facilities that employ lifeguards, park and forest rangers to keep available a minimum of four doses of opioid antagonist.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Sponsors reintroduce Nursing Home Workforce Standards Advisory Board bill

Rep. Scott A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence) and Sen. Bridget G. Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown) have reintroduced legislation (2025-H 5257, 2025-S 0118) to establish a 13-member advisory board to keep state leaders informed on current market conditions, wages, benefits and working conditions in Rhode Island’s nursing home industry. The Rhode Island Nursing Home Workforce Standards Advisory Board would help state leaders understand the challenges facing nursing home staff, and craft solutions that ensure safety for them and patients alike. The Assembly passed the legislation last year, but it was vetoed by the governor.

Click here to see Rep. Slater’s news release.
Click here to see Sen. Valverde’s news release.

 

  • Casimiro, Gu introduce bill to regulate crypto ATMs
    Legislation (2025-S 0016, 2025-H 5121) introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) aims to protect Rhode Islanders from a rapidly growing category of scams that use cryptocurrency ATMs to defraud victims.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Kallman introduces legislation to fund statewide transit with rideshare taxes
    A bill (2025-S 0092) introduced by Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence) would use the proceeds of rideshare taxes to invest in street infrastructure and statewide transit development while also funding current public transportation services.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Potter, Thompson introduce legislation to reward quality at nursing homes
    Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston) and Sen. Brian J. Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland) have introduced legislation (2025-H 5144) to change reimbursement practices for Medicaid payments to nursing facilities to encourage investment in quality care.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Senators tour 988 Suicide & Crisis lifeline call center
    Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) hosted a tour of the call center for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in East Providence for fellow senators to highlight the importance of supporting this and other critical resources for mental and behavioral health. 
        Click here to see news release.                                              

                                     

A SpaceX rocket is on the way to the International Space Station with four new crewmembers. The rocket is scheduled to dock at the ISS around 11:30 PM Saturday, clearing the way for NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to return to Earth. Weather permitting, Williams, Wilmore and two Russian cosmonauts will depart the space station on Wednesday.        Russian President Vladimir Putin is laying out some conditions before he'll agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine. A U.S.-negotiated 30-day cessation of hostilities is on the table more than three years since Russia launched a full scale invasion of its neighbor. Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Putin said Russia supports the idea of a ceasefire but he wants Ukrainian troops in the Russian territory of Kursk to surrender.        The Senate has approved a stopgap funding bill to keep the government from shutting down. The final vote was 54 to 46, with two Democrats joining Republicans to pass the bill. The legislation will keep the government funded through September 30th.        A judge is denying temporary relief to people challenging President Trump's efforts to hold migrants at Guantanamo Bay. There are currently two lawsuits against the Trump administration which argue migrants would face irreparable harm if they're transferred to the notorious prison. Lawyers asked a judge to grant temporary injunctive relief, but the judge declined, saying they failed to provide enough evidence to back up their claims.        Another person who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University has been arrested by federal immigration officials. The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that Leqaa Kordia was taken into custody for overstaying her student visa. Her arrest comes almost a week after the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil.        Star receiver Cooper Kupp is reportedly signing with the Seattle Seahawks. Multiple outlets say the former Super Bowl MVP got a three-year deal worth 15-million dollars a year. Kupp was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.        New music is on the way from Morgan Wallen. The singer announced Friday that his upcoming album, "I'm The Problem," is "officially done." Wallen also shared a teaser of a new song and said to expect more news next week.       

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