Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5496: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

HB 5496 proposes changes to the licensing and disciplinary processes for nurses, directly affecting licensed nurses, practical nurses, and the Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education. The bill alters the composition of the Board of Nursing by adjusting the number of professional and practical nurse members and extending term limits. It expands the Board's powers to include requiring licensees to undergo physical or psychiatric examinations if impairment is suspected, and referring them to non-disciplinary alternative programs. Additionally, it updates language regarding practical nurse qualifications and license renewal notices.

Joseph Solomon (D) Susan Donovan (D) Justine Caldwell (D) Kathleen Fogarty (D) Julie Casimiro (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5174: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- CERTIFIED SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANTS

Allows for the licensing of certified surgical first assistants to assist in surgeries through the department of health and a seven (7) member board of licensure.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 6035: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- HEALTHY KIDS ACT

Establishes the Healthy Kids Act whereby restaurants would be required to offer at least two (2) healthy versions of children's meals, or twenty-five percent (25%) of the children's meals on its menu, whichever is greater.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5488: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE SCHOOL LIBRARIES ACT

House Bill 5488, "The School Libraries Act," mandates that every public school in the state establish and maintain a dedicated school library. It requires these libraries to include essential elements such as adequate book collections, study space, technology, and a budget for materials. The bill also stipulates that all public schools must employ certified school librarians, with staffing levels varying based on student population and a phased implementation schedule extending through the 2030-2031 school year. Furthermore, it ensures students have daily access to their school library resources, including extended hours for secondary schools.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5630: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- COMPASSIONATE ACCESS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS ACT

Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5857: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE HEALTH DATA PRIVACY ACT

HB 5857 creates the "Reproductive Freedom and Gender-Affirming Care Health Data Privacy Act" to protect sensitive health information for Rhode Island residents. The bill specifically defines "consumer health data" to include information related to reproductive or sexual health and gender-affirming care. It requires explicit, informed consent from consumers before regulated entities or small businesses can collect, process, or transfer this protected health data. The act also clarifies what constitutes valid consent, prohibiting practices like deceptive designs or inferring consent from inaction.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5848: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

Requires the DOH and the EOHHS to collaborate with community health centers to establish new programs designed to attract federal funds, with a focus on the utilization of Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5335: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE PAUL W. CROWLEY RHODE ISLAND STUDENT INVESTMENT INITIATIVE

HB 5335 proposes to terminate the extended turnaround plan for the Providence public school district (PPSD). Specifically, the bill would nullify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's decision from August 29, 2024, which extended the PPSD's turnaround action plan until October 15, 2027. If enacted, this means the PPSD would no longer be operating under that particular extended turnaround status. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5837: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Provides that any school teaching sexual education to students shall provide the sexual education curriculum to every parent or guardian of a student, and the parent or legal guardian shall consent to the teaching of such sexual education curriculum.

Topics ✗ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5835: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE PAUL W. CROWLEY RHODE ISLAND STUDENT INVESTMENT INITIATIVE

HB 5835, titled "The Paul W. Crowley Rhode Island Student Investment Initiative," proposes to establish school-based councils at each public school in Providence, along with a central advisory board. These councils would be composed of principals, parents, teachers, community residents, and high school students, with members largely selected through elections. Their primary duties would include approving school improvement and expenditure plans, making recommendations on staffing and curriculum, and holding public meetings. The bill aims to enhance communication and foster stronger relationships between local schools, their communities, and the Providence public school board.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 5113: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

HB 5113 amends the general powers and duties of school committees. This bill specifically mandates that school committees provide transportation services for any students who reside two (2) or more miles from their school. The legislation modifies an existing section of law to include this requirement, ensuring that students meeting the distance criteria are guaranteed access to school transportation.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 5112: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Requires the department of education to develop and make available for use in all schools a mental health curriculum. School districts would be required to provide four (4) hours of mental health instruction to seventh grade students.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill results