Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3180: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- VETERINARY PRACTICE

Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to veterinary care by authorizing telemedicine, aligning with healthcare improvement indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 8247: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

This bill amends Rhode Island law to rename drug court as recovery court and establish a new position for a drug recovery court magistrate within the superior court. The magistrate would be appointed by the presiding justice with senate approval, serve ten-year terms, and preside over adult offenders charged with non-violent drug-related offenses who are deemed drug-addicted. Key provisions include the magistrate's authority to enforce program conditions, impose incarceration for violations, and make final decisions on program admission and participant eligibility based on specific criteria. The bill also grants the magistrate powers to handle matters related to sexual offender registration and allows for appeals of magistrate orders to a superior court justice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation by renaming drug court to recovery court and establishing specialized magistrates for non-violent drug offenders, indicating support for criminal justice reform and rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes drug recovery court magistrate to support addiction treatment programs, expanding access to specialized healthcare services for non-violent drug offenders.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 3099: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- SUPERIOR COURT

This bill amends Rhode Island law to rename drug court programs as recovery court, expanding eligibility to include non-violent offenses beyond just drug-related charges. The legislation creates a new position of drug recovery court magistrate within the superior court, who will preside over adult recovery court programs that combine court authority with therapeutic treatment plans for drug-addicted defendants. Key provisions include establishing a ten-year appointment term for magistrates, defining screening criteria for program admission, and granting magistrates the power to impose incarceration for violations of court conditions. The bill also clarifies that participants must sign contracts outlining program expectations and allows for appeals of magistrate orders to a superior court justice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands drug court to recovery court, broadening eligibility and adding therapeutic treatment, which aligns with rehabilitation and criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands drug court programs to recovery court, increasing access to therapeutic treatment plans for drug-addicted defendants, which supports mental health and healthcare services.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8582: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY FREEDOM OF CHOICE--FAIR COMPETITION AND PRACTICES

This bill strengthens oversight of pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacy benefit management services in Rhode Island by requiring them to register with the Department of Business Regulation and file detailed public reports on their financial arrangements and corporate relationships. It mandates that these managers cannot stop pharmacists from telling patients about drug costs or alternative purchasing options, and it prohibits charging copayments that exceed the actual amount the pharmacy receives for dispensing a prescription. Additionally, the law requires a streamlined appeal process for pharmacies to resolve disputes over multi-source generic drug pricing within fifteen days. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure fair competition in how prescription drug benefits are administered.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens oversight of pharmacy benefits managers and protects patient rights by allowing pharmacists to inform patients of drug costs and alternatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8579: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ACT

Requires pharmacy benefit managers to apply for certificate of authority from DBR to operate such a business in this state. Empowers the health insurance commissioner to oversee pharmacy benefit managers and penalize violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates pharmacy benefit managers to protect consumers and ensure oversight, aligning with protecting patient rights and improving healthcare system integrity.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3028: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE AND DISCIPLINE

Prohibits healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents denial of medical bill payment based on third-party claims, protecting patient access to healthcare services and strengthening financial protections for patients.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3065: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Requires that reimbursement rates for certified mobile response and stabilization services be equal to or greater than the prevailing integrated state Medicaid rate for mobile response and stabilizations services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reimbursement rates for mobile response services equal to Medicaid rates, ensuring adequate funding for critical healthcare stabilization services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3060: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS ACT

Requires pharmacy benefit managers to apply for certificate of authority from the office of health insurance commissioner to operate such a business in this state and empowers the commissioner to oversee pharmacy benefit managers and penalize violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates pharmacy benefit managers to protect consumers and ensure oversight, strengthening healthcare system integrity.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3059: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PHARMACY FREEDOM OF CHOICE--FAIR COMPETITION AND PRACTICES

This bill strengthens oversight of pharmacy benefits managers in Rhode Island by requiring them to register with the state and submit detailed annual reports about their financial relationships with insurers. It prohibits these managers from forcing pharmacies to substitute generic drugs without prescriber approval and bans them from stopping pharmacists from sharing pricing information with patients. The legislation also prevents pharmacy benefits managers from charging copayments that exceed what pharmacies are paid and mandates a clear appeals process for disputes over drug pricing. These changes directly affect pharmacy benefits managers, insurers, pharmacies, and patients who use prescription drug coverage in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens pharmacy oversight, protects patient rights to generic drugs and pricing information, and prevents forced substitutions without prescriber approval.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 2866: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- COLLABORATIVE PHARMACY PRACTICE

Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians, improving patient access to healthcare services and strengthening collaborative care models.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare