General Assembly Approves Budget, Slate Of Bills To End Session

PROVIDENCE, RI — It was a late night in the Rhode Island State House Thursday. House and Senate lawmakers gathered to finish up business for the session, as well as approve the state's budget for the new fiscal year. A lot of bills were approved by both chambers and are now headed to Gov. Dan McKee's desk.

Here's an overview of what was given the green light:

• The state's $13.1 billion budget for the 2022 fiscal year, which started July 1. Key features included provisions for affordable housing and funding to provide all police officers in the state with body-worn cameras.
• A package of three gun-related bills: so-called "straw man" purchases, bans on firearms on school property and a bill requiring the state Attorney General to report the number of cases involving guns to courts.
• A bill supporting pay equality that makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age and country of origin when it comes to pay.
• Two environmental bills to cut down on plastic straw use and ban the intentional release of helium-filled balloons outdoors.
• The creation of a registry of short-term rentals using third-party platforms.
• A limit on insulin copays to $40 for a 30-day supply.
• A bill to extend access to telemedicine by requiring insurance companies to cover services.
• A bill to allow reimbursements of doula services through private insurance companies.
• The creation of a two-year pilot program to prevent drug overdoses through the establishment of harm reduction centers.
• A civic literacy requirement for all Rhode Island public schools.
• Restaurants can continue COVID-19-era outdoor dining setups.
• A bill increasing benefits for temporary caregivers.
• A bill requiring schools provide students cost-free feminine hygiene products in bathrooms.