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/pressrelea

 

§  Senate approves Murray bill limiting copays for diabetes supplies, equipment

The Senate approved legislation (2025-S 0196) sponsored by Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) to limit insured patients’ copays for supplies and equipment used to treat diabetes to $25 for a 30-day supply. The legislation now goes to the House, where House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) is sponsoring a companion bill (2025-H 5026).
Click here to see news release.

§  House OKs bill to protect homeowners from predatory real estate schemes

The House approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Susan R. Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) to prohibit an unfair real estate practice that is often targeted at older homeowners, sometimes resulting in a lien against their property or other problems. The legislation (2025-H 5185A) prohibits Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services (NTRAPS) in which a real estate broker offers money to a homeowner upfront in exchange for the rights to later sell their home.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where similar legislation (2025-S 0133) has been introduced by Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston).
Click here to see news release.

 

§  House OKs Diaz bill to protect right to repair wheelchairs, other mobility aids
The House of Representatives approved legislation (2025-H 5017) introduced by Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) that would protect people’s right to repair their own wheelchairs and other mobility aids. The measure now moves to the Senate, where similar legislation has been introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick).
Click here to see news release.

 

  • Senate OKs DiMario bill to remove restrictions on child care assistance
    The Senate voted to approve legislation (2025-S 0062) introduced by Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) that would allow more qualified Rhode Islanders to receive child care assistance by removing burdensome requirements that recipients cooperate with the Office of Child Support Services to establish paternity and enforce child support orders for children receiving child care assistance. The bill now heads to the House, where Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) has introduced companion legislation (2025-H 5197).

Click here to see news release.

 

§  House OKs Fogarty bill to criminalize false reports of shootings
The House of Representatives passed legislation (2025-H 5442) introduced by Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown) that would expand the crime of false reporting to include shootings or other dangerous events. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Click here to see news release.

 

  • Senate passes Lawson bill to make pediatric autoimmune coverage permanent
    The Senate passed a bill (2025-S 0473) sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Valarie Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) that would make permanent a pilot program passed in 2022 that requires insurance coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric syndrome. The bill now heads to the House, where Rep. Matthew S. Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) has introduced similar legislation (2025-H 5625).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Sanchez bill would make eminent domain proceedings more public, transparent
    Rep. Enrique George Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence) has introduced legislation (2025-H 6112) that aims to protect affordable housing developments and other private projects that benefit Rhode Island’s communities by requiring municipalities to justify their use of eminent domain in a public, transparent process.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Boylan, Valverde want Rhode Island to lead by example on sustainability
    Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) and Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown) have introduced legislation (2025-H 5343, 2025-S 0641) to move Rhode Island toward meeting its sustainability goals by empowering the state agencies of Rhode Island to lead by example.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Euer media literacy education bill heard in committee
    The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on a bill (2025-S 0638) from Sen. Dawn Euer (D-District 13, Newport, Jamestown) to improve the critical thinking skills of students by adding media literacy to the standards of civic education taught in Rhode Island schools.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  McNamara bill would codify federal 504 education plans into state law
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation (2025-H 6122) that would make federally mandated school 504 plans part of state law. Named after Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a 504 plan is a formal plan for how a school will remove barriers so a student with a disability can learn alongside peers in general education. Under the proposed legislation, if the federal government should eliminate the 504 provision for equal access to education for students with disabilities, it would be preserved in Rhode Island statute.
Click here to see news release.

President Trump says the tariffs imposed on other countries are having the desired effect, and he's now open to negotiations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his initial tariff plan is over, and he's watching it settle in. He said every country has called, asking to cut a trade deal with the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.        Stocks are closing sharply lower one day after President Trump announced sweeping global tariffs. The S&P 500 had its worse day since 2020 as the White House announced a baseline tariff rate of ten-percent against most countries yesterday that will go into effect on Saturday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 16-79 to 40-545. The S&P 500 lost 274 points to 53-96. The Nasdaq lost 10-50 points to 16-550.        A multi-day severe weather event is unfolding for more than 55-million people. It comes after at least seven people were killed in the South Central U.S. after storms that included several tornadoes hit the region yesterday. Tonight, there is still a tornado threat for the same areas, but forecasters warn there could also be potentially catastrophic flooding in the Mid-South and Midwest.        The Federal Aviation Administration is offering more support to air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport. The Critical Incident Stress Management team will be meeting with airport personnel sometime early this month. The FAA is also reviewing the arrival rate at the airport and will conduct regular wellness checks.        The Senate has confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The television personality was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-45. Oz now assumes a role that provides health insurance to roughly 160 million Americans.        Steven Spielberg and George Lucas top the latest Forbes list of celebrity billionaires. The latest Forbes ranking of the world's wealthiest people includes 18 celebrities, with film director Steven Spielberg topping the list at five-point-three-billion dollars. Star Wars creator George Lucas is in second place with a net worth of five-point-one-billion dollars.       

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