Healthcare (Mental Health)

passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SR 3371: SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING THRIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC. ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND RECOGNIZING ITS ENDURING IMPACT ON THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RHODE ISLANDERS

This Senate resolution honors Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. on its 50th anniversary and recognizes its long-standing contributions to mental health care in Rhode Island. The bill acknowledges the organization's growth from its founding as the Kent County Mental Health Center to its current role as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic that provides comprehensive, affordable services. It highlights Thrive's holistic approach, which combines clinical treatment with support for housing and employment to help individuals achieve stability. The resolution expresses gratitude for the organization's work and directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to the organization's president and CEO.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors an organization providing mental health services, recognizing its contributions to healthcare access and well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 2, 2026

HR 8607: HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 AS "MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates June 2026 as "Men's Mental Health Month" in Rhode Island to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by men. It encourages residents, organizations, and state agencies to promote open conversations, reduce stigma, and support access to care during this month. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to relevant health departments and advocacy groups to help coordinate these efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mental health awareness and access to care for men, aligning with support indicators for improving patient access and reducing stigma.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8493: HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING APRIL 30, 2026, AS "NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates April 30, 2026, as "National Therapy Animal Day" within the State of Rhode Island to honor the role animals play in providing comfort and healing. It recognizes the therapeutic benefits of various animals, such as dogs, cats, fish, and horses, which help improve mental health and quality of life for individuals. The resolution urges state health officials and citizens to promote awareness of the human-animal bond and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the bill to relevant health and animal welfare organizations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mental health and quality of life by recognizing therapeutic benefits of animals, aligning with healthcare support goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Rhode Island · House May 26, 2026

HR 8585: HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MAY OF 2026 AS "MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Rhode Island to highlight the importance of emotional and psychological well-being. It encourages citizens, schools, and healthcare providers to increase awareness and provide age-appropriate mental health education. The resolution calls for efforts to reduce stigma and help residents live healthier lives by promoting mental health resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill encourages schools to provide mental health education and reduce stigma, directly enhancing student programs and well-being.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates Mental Health Awareness Month to promote mental health resources and reduce stigma, directly supporting mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 2978: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW

This bill extends legal immunity protections to advanced practice registered nurses, granting them the same liability protections as physicians under Virginia's mental health law. The key provision states that neither physicians nor licensed advanced practice registered nurses can be held liable in court for their participation in mental health proceedings unless actual fraud or gross, willful, or wanton negligence is proven. It also clarifies that neither group can be sued for damages resulting from a patient exercising rights protected by the mental health law, such as discharge decisions, even if those actions contradict written medical orders. This change directly affects mental health facilities and healthcare providers by aligning the legal protections for nurses with those for physicians in this specific context.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends legal immunity protections to advanced practice nurses in mental health proceedings, protecting healthcare providers and supporting mental health services access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2882: AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- QUALITY SELF-DIRECTED SUPPORTS ACT OF 2026

Ensures that more developmentally disabled adults can self-direct the care they need and want, by incorporating collective bargaining rights into the self-directed supports program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands self-directed care options for developmentally disabled adults and incorporates collective bargaining rights, improving patient access and autonomy in healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly incorporates collective bargaining rights into self-directed supports program, directly advancing worker organizing and bargaining protections for developmentally disabled adults.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Collective Bargaining Tags People with Disabilities

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2026

SR 3056: JOINT RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE MEDICAID SECTION 1115 DEMONSTRATION WAIVER REQUESTS AND RENEWALS

Allows EOHHS to implement waiver amendments, state plan amendments, and changes to department rules and regulations to make certain updates to the behavioral health per-diem add on program for particularly complex patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates behavioral health per-diem program for complex patients, improving access to mental health services and strengthening healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3026: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS -- MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS AND MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

Changes the direct client contact hour requirements for applicants for licensure of marriage and family therapist associate and applicants for licensure of marriage and family therapist.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill modifies licensure requirements for mental health professionals, potentially improving access to mental health services and supporting the mental health workforce.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2859: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

Creates a Rhode Island specialty license for physician assistants who earn the NCCPA psychiatry CAQ, formally recognizing advanced behavioral health qualifications and supporting appropriate insurance reimbursement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates specialty license for physician assistants with psychiatry qualifications, supporting mental health services and insurance reimbursement for advanced behavioral health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Rhode Island · House Mar 12, 2026

HR 8289: HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING MARCH OF 2026, AS "NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

This bill designates March 2026 as National Social Work Month in Rhode Island to recognize and celebrate the contributions of social workers in the state. It directly affects the National Association of Social Workers Rhode Island Chapter by directing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to their executive director. The resolution highlights the profession's role in addressing mental health, addiction, housing crises, and social justice issues across schools, hospitals, and government agencies. It calls on citizens to join in celebrating the social work profession but does not create new laws or funding. The measure is a commemorative resolution rather than a policy change that alters existing regulations or programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill recognizes social workers' contributions to mental health, addiction, housing crises, and social justice issues, which are integral to healthcare and public health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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