AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- PATIENT BROKERING ACT

HB 5107 prohibits health care providers, facilities, and others from offering or accepting payments (like commissions or kickbacks) to refer patients to health care services. It directly affects entities such as hospitals, clinics, insurers, and referral services that might engage in such financial arrangements. The law bans these practices through specific prohibitions and imposes fines ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 per violation, based on the number of patients involved. Enforcement will be handled by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office, with limited exceptions for existing arrangements like group practices or insurance agent commissions.