After a marathon voting session that wrapped up near midnight Thursday, June 11, the General Assembly finally closed its legislative session for the year.
Hundreds of bills are now on their way to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk, among them a flurry of new legislation on health care.
From regulation around the use of AI in mental health care to more stringent requirements for pharmacy benefits managers to operate in the state and coverage of state-recommended vaccinations, here are some of the highlights of the likely new health care laws coming to the state:
Two bills address the use of artificial intelligence in mental health care. The first regulates the use of AI chatbots in situations where patients are having suicidal ideation. The bill requires the use of such chatbots to have safety mechanisms for cases of suicidal ideation or self-harm and harm to others.
The second bill (S2197) requires licensed health care providers to obtain consent before using AI. It also prohibits individuals and companies from using AI in therapy settings unless the service is provided by a licensed professional.
Bills: S2195, H7350, S2197, H7349
A series of bills aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) also passed the General Assembly. The first prevents PBMs from substituting prescription drugs for generic ones without approval from the prescriber, as well as puts restrictions on PBMs’ contracts with pharmacies.
The second establishes a process for PBMs to obtain certificates of authority to operate in Rhode Island from the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner.
Bills: S3059, H8582, S3060, H8579
The bill provides about $357,000 to update the behavioral health per-diem add on-program for complex patients who require post-acute care. It will cover the admission of 20 new residents.
Bill: S3056
The bills update state law to emphasize the vaccination schedule set by the Department of Health, and second, require insurers including Medicaid to cover all immunizations provided under the Rhode Island Department of Health’s guidelines without any cost sharing. Lawmakers added “shield” language to provide legal protections for people who prescribe, administer or dispense these vaccinations. The bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Bills: S2379, H7625
The bills codify the mobile response and stabilization services program (MRSS) in state law. The program provides behavioral health clinicians to respond to crisis calls for children and youth. Between October 2024 and October 2025, providers fielded 849 MRSS cases, and 80% were stabilized and connected to behavioral health care. The legislation also provides $900,000 for coverage for uninsured and underinsured children and youth. Money for coverage by Medicaid was included in the budget.
Bills: S3066, H8180
One of the lesser-known health care bills in the General Assembly this year. Lawmakers passed legislation putting restrictions on nurse-administered anesthesia, so only nurses certified as anesthetists can administer general anesthesia or deep sedation.
Bill: H7740
Lawmakers included $200,000 in general revenue, plus $400,000 already allocated in the budget, for the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program. The program provides loan repayment for providers in primary care, dental care and mental health who work for a minimum of two years in an area with a shortage of health professionals.
Bill: S3062
Lawmakers also appropriated $5 million from general revenues for establishing a medical school at the University of Rhode Island. The money, designated from fiscal 2027, will fund the hiring of a dean, senior leadership, faculty and staff, securing accreditation, and planning curriculum and institutional development.
Bills: S3064, H8389
Lawmakers included $500,000 in the budget to fund the Hillsgrove Clubhouse, a program that helps adults with disabilities by placing them in a working community. The program faced closure due to a dispute with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services over Medicaid reimbursements for clubhouse services.
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