Representative Joshua J. Giraldo
Member, House Education Committee
Member, House Health and Human Services Committee
Member, House Small Business Committee
Member, House Special Legislation Committee
Joshua
J. Giraldo (D) was first elected in March 2020 to the seat in House District 56
in Central Falls to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Rep. Shelby
Maldonado. He is a member of the House Education Committee, the House Health
and Human Services Committee, the House Small Business Committee, and the House
Special Legislation Committee.
During
the most recent session, he sponsored a new law that require state
employees to undergo cultural competency training in a program created by
the Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity. He also sponsored legislation
that requires specifically
reserved parking spaces for individuals transporting young children under
the age of three years old in baby strollers.
During
the 2021 session, he sponsored a law that authorized the City of Central Falls
to issue bonds of $5.76 million to finance
the construction and renovation of schools in the city. Central Falls
voters later approved the referendum.
He
also sponsored a new law that prohibits the waiving of rules and regulations
relating to minority-owned
businesses involved with state contracts during periods such as a
declared state of emergency. He also sponsored a law that prohibits
discrimination against a potential organ transplant recipient based
solely on a physical or mental disability.
Representative
Giraldo is the Director of Human Capital for Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral
Academy. He served as chief of staff for Central Falls Mayor James Diossa from
October 2015 to July 2020. Before that, he worked as a teacher at Blackstone
Valley Prep Mayoral Academy and as a family literacy instructor at Dorcas Place
Family Learning Center. He also served as director of the Central Falls
Department of Parks and Recreation for two years before becoming chief of
staff.
A
graduate of Central Falls High School in 2004, he earned a bachelor’s degree in
elementary and secondary education from Providence College in 2008.
Representative
Giraldo, who was born on November 18, 1986, resides in Central Falls with his
wife Maité and their daughters, Valentina, Catalina and Isabella.