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.                                              

                                     

President Trump is meeting with Senate Republicans at the White House as the government shutdown is in its third week. The show of unity comes as Democrats are holding firm on a demand to extend healthcare subsidies for millions of Americans covered through the Affordable Care Act. No votes are scheduled today after Senators failed to pass a spending measure for the eleventh time on Monday.        The White House says there no meeting planned between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin "in the immediate future." Trump told reporters last week that he would meet with Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks to discuss the war between Russia and Ukraine. The White House also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a "productive" call today, but no additional meeting is necessary.        A U.S. Marshal and a suspect are wounded after a shooting in Los Angeles. The shooting happened shortly before nine a.m. localtime The U.S. Marshal was serving a warrant with ICE. The injuries to both people are not considered life-threatening. The LAPD says one person is in custody in connection with the shooting.        A man pardoned by President Trump for his involvement with the January 6th riots is accused of threatening to kill House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. According to a criminal complaint, 34-year-old Christopher Moynihan sent text messages to an unknown associate that threatened to assassinate Jeffries while he was speaking at an event in New York City on Monday. Moynihan is scheduled to make a court appearance on Thursday.        The NBA season tips off tonight with the Oklahoma City Thunder raising their championship banner as they host the Houston Rockets at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. In the night's second game, the Golden State Warriors will visit the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. Eastern. Tonight will also mark the return of the NBA on NBC for the first time in over twenty years.        HBO Max prices are going up. The streaming platform announced subscription prices increases for all three tiers on Tuesday. HBO Max Basic with Ads will now cost eleven-dollars per month, HBO Max Standard is now 18-dollars-and-49-cents per month and the price for HBO Max Premium jumps to 23-bucks. Current subscribers will be notified about the new prices 30 days in advance of their plan renewing.       

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