Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7335: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PSYCHOLOGISTS

Includes licensed school psychologists under the provisions of the general laws governing the regulations of psychologists and expands the licensing of school psychologists for independent practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands licensed school psychologists' independent practice, directly increasing mental health service access under healthcare policies.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7456: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Mandates public schools (K-12) have one full-time certified social worker for every 250 students and allocates $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for school districts and municipalities to hire additional social workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M in FY2025 budget for school social workers, increasing public service funding per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M for social worker hiring with 1:250 student ratio mandate, directly enhancing K-12 student support services and funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds school social workers for mental health services, directly advancing student mental health care access per bill's allocation and mandate.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $2M to hire school social workers, directly funding employment positions in education sector per mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax K-12 Education School Funding Student Health

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SR 2377: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND FREE CLINIC

SR 2377 is a joint resolution appropriating $200,000 from the state treasury for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the Rhode Island Free Clinic. This funding directly helps the clinic provide free medical care and preventive services to uninsured adults who cannot afford healthcare, while also supporting its role as a training site for healthcare students. The resolution authorizes the state controller to pay the funds upon receipt of proper documentation, ensuring the clinic can continue its mission of serving vulnerable residents. This is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $200k from state treasury for clinic funding, directly supporting public health services and training programs as essential government spending.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $200,000 to fund free medical care and preventive services for uninsured adults, directly expanding healthcare access through state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Primary Care

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2111: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- NURSES

Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands telemedicine access for patients by allowing out-of-state providers to deliver services, improving healthcare access without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Telehealth

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2284: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LICENSING OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

Requires healthcare facilities that perform abortions meet the license requirements of similar healthcare facilities and allows the department of health to conduct unannounced inspections.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareImposes licensing and inspection requirements on abortion facilities, potentially limiting access to abortion services (a healthcare service), aligning with 'restricts patient access'.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7418: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND SCHOOLS OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY

HB 7418 would establish medical and dental schools at the University of Rhode Island, authorizing the conferral of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degrees. The bill requires the schools to seek accreditation from medical (LCME) and dental (CODA) bodies and mandates clinical training partnerships with hospitals and health centers. It also allows the university to retain revenue from faculty practice plans to support educational, clinical, and research activities. The legislation directly affects Rhode Island residents by aiming to expand healthcare workforce capacity and improve access to care, particularly for underserved communities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new medical/dental schools at URI, authorizing degrees and requiring accreditation; allows revenue retention to support education, advancing higher education access and quality.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates medical/dental schools to train healthcare professionals, directly advancing workforce development for healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Healthcare Workforce

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 7365: AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PORTABLE BENEFIT PLAN

HB 7365 proposes a voluntary portable benefit plan for independent contractors, allowing them to access benefits like health insurance or retirement savings that stay with them across different jobs. The bill establishes that contributions to this plan cannot be used to determine employment classification (e.g., employee vs. independent contractor) or affect employer liability for workers' compensation. Key provisions require the plan to be offered through regulated insurance or employment security programs, ensuring benefits remain tied to the individual, not any specific employer. This applies directly to independent contractors and hiring parties who choose to participate, with no mandatory participation for either party. The bill takes effect upon passage and does not create new benefits but enables existing systems to operate portably.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides voluntary portable health insurance access for independent contractors, expanding coverage options and aligning with support indicators for healthcare access.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors, expanding access to health/retirement savings across jobs without affecting employment classification or liability, strengthening benefit access for non-traditional workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Gig Economy Retirement Benefits

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 24, 2026

HR 7031: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY SAFE STAFFING RATIOS IN HOSPITALS

Creates a 15-member joint commission to study and provide recommendations regarding safe staffing ratios in hospitals, and who would report back to the General Assembly by September 1, 2027, and expire on January 30, 2028.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates commission to study hospital staffing ratios, aiming to improve patient safety and care quality through evidence-based recommendations, directly advancing healthcare standards.85% confidence

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 7076: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- CERTIFIED SURGICAL FIRST ASSISTANTS ACT

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

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes licensing for surgical first assistants via DOH board, standardizing qualified healthcare workforce for surgical services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2119: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Provides that the EOHHS, through Emergency Medicaid, cover dialysis for the treatment of end stage renal disease ("ESRD") and kidney transplants for RI residents who do not qualify for full Medicaid under federal law due to their immigration status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for dialysis/kidney transplants for non-qualifying residents, improving access to critical ESRD treatment.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides state-funded dialysis/kidney transplant coverage for non-Medicaid-eligible immigrants under EOHHS emergency program, directly addressing immigration status barriers to healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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