Pressreader (Insurance/Society): “New legislation signed by Gov. Dan McKee raises the insurance cap for hearing aids from $1,500 to $1,750 per ear and lets Rhode Islanders buy new devices every year instead of every three"... “Lawmakers note that children already receive $1,500 per ear, more than double the adult allowance. That disparity fueled the new bill, sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett) and Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich). It will also be beneficial for parents with children who have hearing loss, with children possibly losing their expensive hearing aids more than adults.” ...Raptakis framed the measure as basic relief. ...“Too many Rhode Islanders are struggling these days, and the people of Rhode Island need some assistance and support. Hearing aids are critical to individuals who need them and rely upon them to go about their day,” he said. He added, “This legislation will keep more money in individuals’ pockets by increasing the amount insurance companies will pay to buy hearing aids.” Read the full article at Kent County Daily Times (Vol.CXXV No. 145) by Bill Seymour.

RI Senate, Capital TV: State Senator Lou Raptakis with the Hobey Baker Award recipients. Congrats! About the award: Click/Tap Here

"STATE HOUSE – Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis is praising today’s court ruling affirming the town’s condemnation of the pond that transfers ownership of Johnson’s Pond to the residents of Coventry. “This has been a long time coming and the residents of Johnson’s Pond and Coventry will no longer by harassed and victimized by the environmental terrorism that has devastated the pond and the community for too long.  Justice was truly served this morning and this ruling is a huge victory for everyone who has made wonderful and lasting memories on this beloved natural resource,” said Senator Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich). Senator Raptakis has been fighting for the property rights of residents who live on Johnson’s Pond and the environmental health of the pond for several years."

View the press release at: RI General Assembly

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI): "Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights - clears the Senate. LEOBOR sets the rules for police officers who are investigated for misconduct, including what information is and isn’t shareable during the disciplinary process. This bill also heads to McKee for a signature.

These are the proposed reforms:

• Expand the panel for a hearing to five members comprised of three randomly selected officers, an attorney who’s in good standing, and a retired judge who is appointed by the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s chief justice.
• Let police chiefs publicly comment on officers looking at disciplinary action, as well as release video evidence.
• Extend the length of an officer’s suspension.

Automatic Disaffiliation for Unaffiliated Primary Voters
...The third and final bill, which also passed the Senate, would allow unaffiliated voters who vote in a primary election to stay that way. If an unaffiliated voter casts a ballot in a primary, they automatically become affiliated with that party. They can disaffiliate by either updating their information online or filling out a form. This bill, introduced by state Rep. Patricia Serpa and state Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, would remove that hurdle." For the complete story by WPRI click/tap here.