Provides that retirees in the state pension system receive cost of living adjustments compounded into the retiree’s total retirement benefits each year beginning January 1, 2026. This act would be prospective only.
SB 2562 requires health insurers to pay an additional $30 million annually starting in 2026 to fund telehealth services, specifically including the PediPRN (pediatric) and MomsPRN (maternal) teleconsultation lines. This funding is added to existing healthcare contributions and deposited into a dedicated "PRN account" managed by the Department of Health. The bill directly affects health insurers (through new fees) and benefits Rhode Island residents seeking timely mental health support for children, mothers, and perinatal patients. The funds will support statewide psychiatric consultation services for primary care providers, expanding behavioral health capacity without altering current insurance coverage.
Appropriates two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($2,700,000) to fund the primary care training sites program to provide training for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants within the department of health.
Removes the requirement that 5% of the hotel tax generated from the South County tourism district be paid to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Exempts from the sales tax eligible school supplies, costing less than $50.00, purchased within one week prior to the commencement of the academic year.
Funds the state crime victim compensation program through an additional one dollar ($1.00) fine on traffic violations, exclusive of violations related to the parking of vehicles.
Exempts from sales tax the amount paid for a parking space to a patron for one hour or less, in or on a parking facility on which a commercial establishment is located.
Establishes a fund and the operations necessary for a hotline for suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis management. Also instates a monthly surcharge on telephone lines to fund the 988 call center.
Permits students at failing schools to enroll in any public school and also established the Rhode Island education revitalization fund to provide funding to the school choice program.
SB 2563 mandates an independent study by Rhode Island's auditor general to evaluate whether consolidating Medicaid prescription drug management would save costs and improve transparency. The study must compare four models used by other states, including single statewide drug lists (like Connecticut) or direct state contracting (like Kentucky), and assess impacts on state spending, pharmacy rebates, and beneficiary access. It requires full data access from pharmacy benefit managers and related entities - bypassing contractual confidentiality - to ensure the analysis uses complete information on drug expenditures and rebates. This bill directly affects Rhode Island's Medicaid program, which covers children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families, by setting the stage for potential future changes to drug management.
