RI Senate

Richard Charest confirmed as EOHHS Secretary

BY: - May 23, 2023

PROVIDENCE — The governor’s nominee for secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) was confirmed by the Senate in a near unanimous vote Tuesday. Gov. Dan McKee nominated Richard Charest, who served as director of the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), starting June 2021, on May 12. […]

EACA passes Senate Judiciary Committee

BY: - May 16, 2023

PROVIDENCE — A bill expanding abortion access in Rhode Island passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 7-6 vote Tuesday afternoon without debate.  The approval of S32, also known as the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act, came in a committee meeting that lasted slightly over two minutes. Introduced by Sen. Bridget Valverde, a North Kingstown […]

Three early childhood education bills pass the Senate

BY: - May 3, 2023

PROVIDENCE — The Senate announced Tuesday the passage of a series of bills focused on strengthening Rhode Island’s child care workforce and infrastructure. A bill introduced by Senate Education Committee Chair Sen. Sandra Cano, of Pawtucket, S492, would instruct the state to establish a plan to increase salaries for early childhood educators and bring them […]

Rental application fee ban clears R.I. House of Representatives

BY: - April 21, 2023

A proposal to prevent prospective tenants from paying rental application fees has cleared one chamber of the Rhode Island General Assembly. The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously passed legislation eliminating housing application fees. The bill, introduced by Rep. Cherie Cruz, a Pawtucket Democrat, is part of a broader, 14-bill package aimed at […]