Releases

STATE HOUSE – A bill which expands the State’s Crime Victim Compensation Program to include support for minors who witness homicides or domestic violence, has been signed into law today by Governor Gina Raimondo, during a ceremonial signing ceremony at the Rhode Island State House. The legislation, which was sponsored by House Majority Leader K.…

STATE HOUSE – Legislation sponsored by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio and House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi to increase transparency of I-195 Commission meetings is now law. The bill, approved by the General Assembly June 27 and signed by the governor July 5, will result in more meetings and discussions being held in public,…

STATE HOUSE – With final passage by the House today, the General Assembly approved legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi and Sen. Hanna M. Gallo to establish a free educational course for parents of students in driver’s education classes. Under the legislation (2017-H 5457Aaa, 2017-S 0555Aaa), the course would be made available online…

STATE HOUSE – Children under 2 will be required to be restrained in rear-facing car seats under a bill passed by the General Assembly last week and now signed by the governor. The legislation, which was sponsored by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio and House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi, is aimed at protecting small…

STATE HOUSE – House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) will be awarded for “Excellence in Advocacy by an Elected Official” by the National Council for Behavioral Health at the group’s annual conference being held in Seattle, Washington on April 2 through April 5.  Leader Shekarchi is being honored due to the passage…

STATE HOUSE – The Humane Society of the United States named three House members as their 2016 Humane State Legislator award recipients. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi, and Representative Patricia Serpa each received an award for their respective efforts to foster animal welfare last session. “I am honored to receive this…

STATE HOUSE – Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) was elected by his House Democratic Caucus colleagues as the new Majority Leader of the House of Representatives at a Democratic caucus last Thursday night.  Leader Shekarchi was elected to the position with a unanimous vote of 62-0.  The Majority Leader is the leader of…

STATE HOUSE – Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi and Sen. William A. Walaska’s ‘Premium Jobs Initiative’ (2016-H 8058A / 2016-S 3012A) was signed into law today by Governor Gina M. Raimondo at a ceremonial bill signing in the State Room of the State House.  The legislation encourages insurance companies to create jobs in Rhode Island by linking Rhode…

STATE HOUSE –Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush and Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi’s legislation (2016-S 2475 / 2016-H 7628) that gives employees several ways to collect wages due from nonpaying employers and increases the penalties for offending employers was signed into law today by Governor Raimondo at a ceremonial bill signing held at the Algonquin House in Providence. “Workers…