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

 

§ Equality in Abortion Coverage Act becomes law
The General Assembly passed and Gov. Dan McKee signed into law the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (2023-S 00322023-H 5006) sponsored by Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown) and House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket). The law will provide insurance coverage for abortion care to individuals on Medicaid as well as state employees.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Assembly passes legislation reducing driving privilege card fees

The General Assembly passed legislation (2023-H 5780, 2023-S 0751) introduced by Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist.18, East Providence, Pawtucket) that reduces the fee for an original driver privilege card. The legislation reduces the fee from $50 to $25 in order to bring the fee in line with the cost charged for renewing a driver’s license and would take effect on July 1.  The measure now moves to the governor’s desk.

Click here to see news release.

 

§ House OKs bills amending housing act, easing process of building ADUs
The House of Representatives passed two bills addressing the state’s housing crisis. The first (2023-H6081A), sponsored by Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), would amend the Low and Moderate Income Housing Act to modify and clarify the procedure for review of applications to build housing. The second (2023-H 6082Aaa), sponsored by Rep. June Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol), would provide homeowners the right to develop an accessory dwelling unit within the existing footprint of their structures or on any lot larger than 20,000 square feet. Both measures now move to the Senate for consideration

Click here to see Shekarchi release.

Click here to see Speakman release.

 

§  Senate OKs bill requiring insurance coverage for diagnosing, treating infertility

The Senate passed legislation (2023-S 0107) sponsored by Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) that would mandate that all insurance contracts, plans or policies provide coverage for the expense of diagnosing and treating infertility, including preimplantation genetic diagnosis in conjunction with in vitro fertilization.  The bill now heads to the House, where Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket) has introduced the legislation (2023-H 5351).

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate passes bills requiring universal healthy free school meals

The Senate passed two bills sponsored by Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) and Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) that would require universal healthy free school meals at the state’s public schools. Senator Cano’s bill (2023-S 0071) would require free meals to be provided for all elementary and secondary students attending public schools, to the extent state and federal funds are available.  Senator Acosta’s bill (2023-S 0071) would require free breakfast and lunch be provided for all students. Both bills now move to the House for consideration, where Rep. Justine A. Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) has introduced a bill (2023-H 56396) similar to Senator Cano’s.

Click here to see news release

 

§ House OKs bill that would increase penalties for theft of catalytic converters
The House of Representatives passed legislation (2023-H 5841aa) introduced by Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) that would increase the penalties for thefts of catalytic converters. It would mandate a bill of sale, eliminate cash payments and require the attorney general to suspend the license of any violator of the law. A conviction under this law would be a felony subject to fine and imprisonment.
Click here to see news release.

 

§ Legislation would prohibit incarceration of children under 14
Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Rebecca M. Kislak, (D-Dist. 4, Providence) have introduced  legislation (2023-H 53592023-S 0344) that would prohibit Family Court from detaining or committing any juvenile under the age of 14 years to the training school for any offense, with exceptions for murder, first-degree sexual assault or an attempt to commit either.
Click here to see news release.

 

§ Morales bill would establish a statewide ‘Medicare for All’ healthcare system

Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) has introduced legislation to establish a statewide universal, comprehensive single-payer health care program. The bill (2023-H 6339) would create a “Medicare-for-all” style single-payer program that would replace multiple “middlemen” insurers with a single coverage provider, the Rhode Island Comprehensive Health Insurance Program.

Click here to see news release.

 

§ Boylan introduces bill to study school lockdowns, safety drills

Rep. Jennifer Smith Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) has introduced a resolution (2023-H 6422) that would create a commission to study lockdowns, fire drills and the associated mental health supports for students. The commission would be made up of public safety officials, teachers, students, mental health professionals and legislators. It would be tasked with answering complex questions such as whether and when students should be encouraged to evacuate during lockdown events, whether advanced notice should be provided to students and/or parents prior to a lockdown drill and whether the frequency of drills should be changed.

Click here to see press release.

 

§ Lawson, Kazarian seek state funding for East Providence housing development

Sen. Valarie Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) and Rep. Katherine Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket) are sponsoring a joint resolution (2023-S 09852023-H 6297) to provide state funding for a proposed housing project in East Providence. The project, called the Taunton Avenue Collaborative, would provide 160 new apartments in a vibrant and diverse community for extremely low-income households, youth aging out of foster care and low- to moderate-income families. Residents would have access to a variety of supports from area nonprofits.

Click here to see news release.

 

A former "Watergate" prosecutor says she believes former President Trump is "toast" as the investigation of his handling of classified documents moves forward. Jill Wine-Banks told MSNBC the case against Trump is strong as special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly nearing the end of his investigation. Her comments come amid reports the federal grand jury in the case is expected to meet this week.        Former Vice President Mike Pence is officially running for president in 2024. Pence filed the paperwork to enter the race today, joining a growing field of candidates vying for the Republican nomination. Pence has spent the last several months making frequent trips to early primary states like South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa.        The mother of a six-year-old who shot his teacher in Virginia is facing federal charges. Deja Taylor is charged with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Court documents allege she claimed to not being "an unlawful user" of any illegal drug when purchasing a handgun last year even though she was a marijuana use.        Police are investigating the deaths of six women all found in the same area of Oregon in the last three months. All six bodies were found within one-hundred miles of each other in secluded areas of the woods across the Portland region. The deaths are being investigated as suspicious but police haven't determined whether all the women were homicide victims.        The victims of a private jet that crashed in Virginia yesterday were residents of New York. John Rumpelowns, who owns the jet, says his daughter, two-year-old granddaughter, her nanny and the pilot were heading back to East Hampton after a visiting him in North Carolina. The FAA says the small plane bound for MacArthur Airport flew into unauthorized airspace over Washington and crashed in the mountains, killing all four people on board.        A #BOYCOTTNASCAR hashtag reportedly is picking up speed after the company tweeted and an image showing support for the LGBTQ community. The majority of comments from the millions of people who he commented say they will no longer support the racing organization. But Stephen Rhodes, the first openly gay NASCAR driver, tells Queen City News, "For all the fans that are leaving, I guarantee that there is just as many coming."