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Highlights from the Rhode Island General Assembly: Week in Review (Feb. 3–Feb. 7) – Newport Buzz

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Highlights from the Rhode Island General Assembly: Week in Review (Feb. 3–Feb. 7) – Newport Buzz


This week in the Rhode Island General Assembly, lawmakers introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at addressing key issues ranging from health care and workers’ rights to technology and public safety. Highlights include proposals to improve access to affordable health care, protect the right to repair electronics, and enhance protections for vulnerable populations. Here’s a look at some of the key bills that were unveiled.

Senate Introduces Health Care Accessibility Bills
Senator Melissa Murray (D-Woonsocket, North Smithfield), chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, announced the introduction of a nine-bill package aimed at improving health care accessibility and affordability. The proposed legislation seeks to reduce administrative barriers to patient care, protect individuals from overwhelming medical debt, and promote overall access to care at lower costs.

Right to Repair Legislation Introduced
A new legislative package seeks to bolster Rhode Islanders’ right to repair personal electronics and farm equipment. Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D-Providence) and Sen. Robert Britto (D-East Providence, Pawtucket) introduced the Digital Electronics Right to Repair Act, which would allow consumers and independent repair shops access to manuals, parts, and tools. Additionally, Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Lincoln, Pawtucket) proposed similar legislation for electronics-enabled farm equipment, while Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Providence) and Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Warwick) are sponsoring legislation for assistive technology devices like wheelchairs.

Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Raised
Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-Portsmouth, Bristol) and Rep. Megan Cotter (D-Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton) introduced a bill to raise both the eligibility limit and the maximum credit for Rhode Island’s “circuit breaker” tax credit. The legislation aims to provide relief to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities.

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Protecting Workers’ First Amendment Rights
Sen. Matthew LaMountain (D-Warwick, Cranston) introduced a bill to protect employees’ First Amendment rights in the workplace. The proposed law would allow workers to refuse attendance at employer-sponsored meetings regarding political or religious matters and protect them from being compelled to listen to political or religious speeches.

Training Lifeguards and Rangers in Narcan Use
Rep. William O’Brien (D-North Providence) proposed a bill requiring lifeguards and park rangers at public beaches and facilities to be trained in administering opioid antagonists like Narcan. The bill mandates that all such facilities have at least four doses of opioid antagonists available on-site.

Nursing Home Workforce Standards Bill Reintroduced
Rep. Scott Slater (D-Providence) and Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown) have reintroduced a bill to establish a 13-member advisory board aimed at addressing challenges in the nursing home industry. The Rhode Island Nursing Home Workforce Standards Advisory Board would keep state leaders informed on market conditions and help develop solutions to improve conditions for nursing home staff and patients. The Assembly passed the bill last year, but it was vetoed by the governor.

Regulation of Crypto ATMs Proposed
Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Julie Casimiro (D-North Kingstown, Exeter) introduced legislation to regulate cryptocurrency ATMs. The bill is designed to protect Rhode Islanders from growing scams that involve cryptocurrency ATMs used to defraud victims.

Statewide Transit Funding through Rideshare Taxes
Sen. Meghan Kallman (D-Pawtucket, Providence) introduced a bill to fund statewide transit and street infrastructure projects by using proceeds from rideshare taxes. The legislation aims to boost public transportation services and support the development of a comprehensive transit system.

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Medicaid Reimbursement for Quality Care in Nursing Homes
Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Cranston) and Sen. Brian Thompson (D-Woonsocket, Cumberland) introduced legislation to incentivize quality care at nursing facilities. The bill seeks to change Medicaid reimbursement practices to encourage better care through financial rewards for facilities that meet quality standards.

Tour of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call Center
Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray and Sen. Alana DiMario (D-Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) hosted a tour of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call center in East Providence. The tour was organized to highlight the importance of supporting mental and behavioral health resources.

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Rhode Island

Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash


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The two victims were identified as a husband and wife from Rhode Island, local officials said.

A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.

Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.

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The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.

Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.

The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said. 

Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.

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Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event


Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.

The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.

Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)

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“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”

The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.

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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.

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Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.

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Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.


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“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Col. Michael J. Winquist said.

A Seekonk man is accused of murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island before causing a car crash in Swansea that killed two people last week, police said.  

Demitri Sousa, 28, is charged with murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, the Cranston Police Department said.

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The shooting occurred Thursday night in Cranston, police said in a press release.

That night, Sousa allegedly arrived at the Cranston home of Javon Lawson, 35. Sousa began banging on the side door of the home, police said. 

When Lawson approached the door, he was hit by gunfire from outside, police said.

First responders transported Lawson to the Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Cranston police said.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, the motive is believed to be a dispute between the suspect and the victim over a mutual female acquaintance. Detectives are continuing this investigation to gain more insight, as well as to collect and analyze evidence,” Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of Cranston police, said in an emailed statement to Boston.com.

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Neighbors gave police video footage that “showed a male subject wearing dark clothing and a mask walking toward the residence moments before the shooting and fleeing immediately afterward,” Winquist said.

The suspect was also seen running to a white Infiniti sedan which then drove off, the Cranston police chief said.

Shortly after the shooting, a license plate reader captured the vehicle driving southbound on Route 10, and then later in Fall River and Westport, Massachusetts. The sedan’s license plate was registered in Sousa’s name, Winquist said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said.

Just moments later, Sousa allegedly “crashed into the side of another vehicle, a blue 2022 Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136,” Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley and Fire Chief Eric Hajder said in a joint press release.

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Both vehicles had “catastrophic damage,” and the struck car was engulfed in flames, the Swansea officials said.

The driver and passenger of the hit car — a man and a woman — were declared dead at the scene, they said.

“Swansea Police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle. However, Swansea Police were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the crash,” the Swansea chiefs wrote. Swansea official have not announced charges related to the fatal crash.

Sousa had been driving the Infiniti and appeared to be suffering from serious injuries, Winquist said. Inside the car, police found a pistol and “additional .22 caliber ammunition was recovered” from Sousa at Rhode Island Hospital, Winquist said.

Police arrested Sousa and transported him to Rhode Island Hospital. Sousa is expected to survive, Winquist said. Sousa will be held in Cranston police custody until he is conscious and medically cleared, Winquist said.

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“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Winquist said.

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