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.                                              

                                     

There are reports the Justice Department is investigating Minnesota's governor and the Minneapolis mayor. Multiple outlets cite U.S. officials saying Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey are being investigated for allegedly obstructing federal law enforcement. One official says the investigation centers on statements the two leaders have made about the thousands of ICE and Border Patrol agents deployed to Minneapolis. Their presence has sparked protests, which have grown since the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer last week.        Court is done for the week in the Charlie Kirk assassination case in Utah. Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting the conservative personality at a rally in September, argued a key prosecutor has a family member who was present at the time Kirk was shot. They say that communications between them raise concerns over impartiality and the prosecution's decision to seek the death penalty, and argue the prosecutor should be disqualified.        President Trump says he currently doesn't have reason to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. Before leaving the White House for Florida on Friday, Trump was asked about using the act as protests continue in Minneapolis. Trump said there's no reason to use it at this time, adding, that if he "needed it, it's available" to him. The Insurrection Act would give Trump the authority to deploy the military to suppress a rebellion on American soil.        Virginia Senate Democrats are sending a redistricting amendment to voters for approval. If voters support the amendment in a special election, which is expected to be on the spring ballot, the Legislature would be able to redraw the state's congressional map before midterms. Democrats currently have a six-five edge in the state's congressional delegation, looking to control either a ten-one or nine-two split for the new map.        Renee Good was unresponsive when first responders arrived after she was shot by an ICE agent last week in Minneapolis. A newly released incident report from the Minneapolis Fire Department offered more clarity into the incident, with Good having two apparent gunshot wounds to her right chest, one on her left forearm and another possible wound on the left side of her head. Good's killing has led to protests nationwide, while the Trump administration is calling her a "domestic terrorist."        Bad Bunny is previewing his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance. The video shows the singer walking through a forest while playing a song from his most recent album, soon joined by dancers off all different ages and cultures. It ends with a message saying "the world" - all different ages, races and styles - "will dance." Bad Bunny's choice as the headliner of the halftime show has drawn conservative backlash, with the Trump Administration threatening to have ICE agents at the game.       

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