This Week at the General Assembly: June 15, 2012

2013 state budget bill enacted

The $8.1 billion state budget bill (2012-H 7323Aaa) achieved final legislative passage and was signed into law by Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee. The budget substantially restores previous cuts to programs for the developmentally disabled, accelerates implementation of the new school aid formula and assists Central Falls’ retirees, while avoiding many of the tax increases the governor proposed, including the expansion of the meals-and-beverages tax. Click here to see news release.

Governor signs marijuana decriminalization legislation

Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee has signed legislation (2012-S 2253Aaa, 2012-H 7092Aaa) making Rhode Island the 15th state in the nation to decriminalize marijuana. The bills, sponsored by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Warwick) and Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), eliminate the criminal charge for carrying 1 ounce or less of marijuana and instead impose a civil penalty of a $150 fine, plus forfeiture of the drug. A third offense within 18 months of the previous offense would be treated as a misdemeanor. Click here to see news release.

Revenue Protection Act approved by General Assembly

The General Assembly passed the Revenue Protection Act to protect state revenue, maintain the competitiveness of the state’s two gaming venues, and safeguard those employed at Twin River and Newport Grand. The legislation (2012-S 3001A, 2012-H 8213Aaa) establishes the state’s share of table game proceeds, if voters in November approve ballot questions to allow table games at the two facilities. Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) and Rep. Helio Melo (D-Dist. 64, East Providence) sponsored the legislation. Click here to see news release.

Minimum wage hike passes legislature, sent to governor

Legislation to raise the Rhode Island minimum wage from the current $7.40 to $7.75 has been approved by the General Assembly and transmitted to the governor. The increase would be the first since 2007 and would take effect on Jan. 1. The bills (2012-S 2374A, 2012-H 7396A) were sponsored by Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D-Dist. 31, Warwick) and Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick). Click here to see news release.

Changes adopted to open records law (APRA)

Legislation has been passed that makes significant changes to the Access to Public Records Act (open records law) including making public various records that were not previously public, such as employment contracts, and making arrest records public within 48 hours of an arrest. Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) and Rep. Michael J. Marcello (D-Dist. 41, Scituate, Cranston) were the sponsors of the companion bills (2012-S 2652Aaa, 2012-H 7555Aaa). Click here to see news release.
 

Assembly approves changes to state fire code

The General Assembly passed legislation to update the state fire code and increase flexibility and options for businesses, changes that will allow for alternative and less costly means of compliance while ensuring that public safety is still paramount. The bills sent to the governor (2012-S 2564B, 2012-H 7959A) were introduced by Sen. William A. Walaska (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) and Rep. Frank G. Ferri (D-Dist. 22, Warwick). Click here to see news release.

Assembly passes strangulation bills

The General Assembly passed legislation (2012-H 7242A, 2012-S 2147Aaa), sponsored by Rep. Roberto DaSilva (D-Dist.63, East Providence, Pawtucket) and Sen. Frank A. DeVall Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence), that makes domestic assault by strangulation a felony punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment. The legislation will now be transmitted to the governor’s office for his consideration. Click here to see news release.

Legislation OKs creation of “Homeless Bill of Rights”

The General Assembly passed legislation to establish a “Homeless Bill of Rights,” the first of its kind in the nation, to guarantee that no person’s rights, privileges or access to public services can be denied or abridged solely because that person is homeless. Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield) and Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence, East Providence) sponsored the legislation (2012-S 2052B, 2012-H 7173A). Click here to see news release.

Assembly makes changes to Hospital Conversion Act

The General Assembly passed changes to the Hospital Conversion Act to eliminate a prohibition on for-profit companies acquiring more than one hospital in the state in a three-year period, but require other provisions aimed at maintaining the hospital’s ties and contributions to the local community. The legislation (2012-H 7283A, 2012-S 2180B), sponsored by House Majority Leader Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Sen. Roger A. Picard (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland), relates to the proposed purchase of Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket by Steward Health Care Services. Click here to see news release.

Assembly OKs pilot emergency room diversion program

The General Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Warwick) and Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) to create a pilot program to divert people with behavioral or alcohol or substance abuse issues away from emergency rooms and into more appropriate places for treatment. The legislation (2012-S 2561A, 2012-H 7877) proposes a 24-hour, seven-days a week program to steer people with substance abuse problems into a continuum care for treatment and recovery to improve health outcomes for these individuals while reducing overall system costs. Click here to see news release.

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