Senate advances package of education and health bills, many passed unanimously
May 21, 2024 | Legislative, Rhode Island
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The Rhode Island Senate on Tuesday approved a package of education and health-related measures, moving several companion and committee-requested bills to passage with limited floor debate.
Senate Bill S-2142, the Rhode Island Early Care and Education Workforce Data Act, was presented by Senator Escano to codify the existing workforce registry and require national-standard compliance and annual reports from the Department of Human Services. Senator Cano offered an amendment (LC004213/2) that removes legislative findings; the amendment passed 33–0 and the bill as amended passed 36–0.
Senate Bill 2516 directs the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop informational materials on type 1 (juvenile-onset) diabetes for parents and guardians and recommends screening pathways; the Senate passed the bill 36–0.
Other measures advancing included a joint resolution directing continued focus on early childhood governance (sponsor Senator Gallo), ABLE Act outreach to families with children with IEPs (Senator Murray), modernization of state library statutes to reference digital preservation and required credentials (Senator McKinney), and a set of bills addressing school workforce certification, charter reconstitution, and motor-vehicle operator licensing; most passed unanimously or with overwhelming support on recorded votes (tallies recorded on the floor where noted).
Several health-related bills also moved: legislation limiting nursing-home withdrawals of revenue without Department of Health approval, updating Rhode Island’s controlled-substances listing by referencing Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and a discharge-planning bill aimed at expediting care transitions for behavioral-health and substance-use patients. Floor votes and speakers varied by measure, but the calendar concluded with multiple bills adopted and the consent calendar previously approved.
The Senate ended the calendar with announcements of committee meetings and community events and recessed in memory of Lieutenant Glenn Berdiscone.
Senate Bill S-2142, the Rhode Island Early Care and Education Workforce Data Act, was presented by Senator Escano to codify the existing workforce registry and require national-standard compliance and annual reports from the Department of Human Services. Senator Cano offered an amendment (LC004213/2) that removes legislative findings; the amendment passed 33–0 and the bill as amended passed 36–0.
Senate Bill 2516 directs the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop informational materials on type 1 (juvenile-onset) diabetes for parents and guardians and recommends screening pathways; the Senate passed the bill 36–0.
Other measures advancing included a joint resolution directing continued focus on early childhood governance (sponsor Senator Gallo), ABLE Act outreach to families with children with IEPs (Senator Murray), modernization of state library statutes to reference digital preservation and required credentials (Senator McKinney), and a set of bills addressing school workforce certification, charter reconstitution, and motor-vehicle operator licensing; most passed unanimously or with overwhelming support on recorded votes (tallies recorded on the floor where noted).
Several health-related bills also moved: legislation limiting nursing-home withdrawals of revenue without Department of Health approval, updating Rhode Island’s controlled-substances listing by referencing Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and a discharge-planning bill aimed at expediting care transitions for behavioral-health and substance-use patients. Floor votes and speakers varied by measure, but the calendar concluded with multiple bills adopted and the consent calendar previously approved.
The Senate ended the calendar with announcements of committee meetings and community events and recessed in memory of Lieutenant Glenn Berdiscone.
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