Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 7627: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS -- EARLY INTERVENTION EXTENSION--BRIDGE TO PRESCHOOL

HB 7627 extends early intervention services under Rhode Island's Part C program for children with special health care needs whose third birthday falls between May 1 and August 31. This change prevents a service gap by allowing these children to remain in early intervention until September 1 after their third birthday, bridging to preschool services. The bill directly affects families of children with developmental disabilities born in this window, ensuring continuity of care without interruption. It aligns with federal law allowing states to extend such services and requires the state to implement this by January 2028, following a 2026 plan development phase.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends early intervention services for children with special health needs, preventing service gaps and ensuring continuity of care under maternal/child health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

Track

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7634: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW

HB 7634 amends the state's Mental Health Law to grant advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) the same legal protection from lawsuits as physicians and surgeons when providing mental health services. Specifically, it ensures APRNs licensed in the state cannot be held liable in court for their professional actions under this law - except in cases of actual fraud or gross negligence - similar to existing protections for doctors. This directly affects APRNs working in mental healthcare settings, clarifying their legal standing during proceedings like patient discharges or treatment decisions. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGrants APRNs same legal protections as physicians in mental health services, strengthening provider access and reducing liability barriers for mental health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2458: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT

SB 2458 requires the state to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by July 1, 2026, enabling out-of-state doctors to practice telemedicine in the state. This directly affects patients seeking telemedicine services and healthcare providers licensed in other states who wish to offer remote care. The bill adds a new telemedicine chapter (23-104-1) specifying that patients may receive telemedicine services, including from out-of-state providers, under the compact. It mandates the Department of Health and Insurance Commissioner to create necessary rules for implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables out-of-state telemedicine practice, expanding patient access to healthcare services without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Telehealth

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 7743: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MANDATORY CARRYING OF EPINEPHRINE AUTOINJECTORS BY POLICE OFFICERS ACT

Requires all peace officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their vehicles or on their person police departments to budget sufficient funds to purchase the epinephrine and autoinjectors and for training of every peace officer.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires police departments to budget funds for epinephrine autoinjectors and training, directing state spending toward public safety programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates police to carry epinephrine autoinjectors for emergency allergic reaction treatment, enhancing public health access and response.90% confidence

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2554: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE MEDICAID REENTRY ACT

Requires that Medicaid enrollment be maintained or provided to all inmates in the first 30 days of incarceration at the adult correctional institutions within the department of corrections and the last 30 days of incarceration when possible.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures Medicaid access during incarceration/reentry, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid enrollment continuity for inmates during incarceration, ensuring health coverage access per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Medicaid

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 7744: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Amends the law on drug coverage to require insurance plans that provide coverage for prescription drugs to offer two options for prescription delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates two prescription delivery options for insurance plans, improving patient access to medications under coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 7540: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Require that routine childhood and adult immunization vaccine recommendations that are developed from evidence based, medically sound scientific research by the department of health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires evidence-based vaccine recommendations by Department of Health, strengthening public health initiatives through scientifically sound policies.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7636: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- SUICIDE PREVENTION--VOLUNTARY FIREARM RESTRICTIONS ACT

Creates process for individual to voluntarily be either temporarily or indefinitely added to a list restricting their rights to purchase or possess firearms. Adds civil fines and misdemeanor for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates voluntary firearm restrictions to prevent suicide, directly supporting mental health services as a public health measure per its title and summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7993: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

HB 7993 establishes a new bureau of public protection within Rhode Island's Attorney General's office, directly affecting businesses or government entities engaging in repeated illegal conduct. The bureau will handle consumer protection, healthcare regulation, environmental issues, and civil rights through dedicated units. It authorizes the Attorney General to seek court orders for injunctions, restitution, and penalties against "persistent illegality" (repeated illegal acts affecting multiple people), while excluding criminal law enforcement. The law requires annual reports to the legislature detailing investigations, court applications, and outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes bureau to handle healthcare regulation for consumer protection against illegal conduct, aligning with patient rights protection.80% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7639: AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GENETIC INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT

Requires a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, as defined, to provide a consumer with certain information regarding the company’s policies and procedures regarding use of genetic data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires genetic testing companies to disclose data policies, protecting consumer privacy in healthcare services per patient rights indicators.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates genetic testing companies to disclose data policies, directly protecting consumer data privacy per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection