reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners › Section 23-4-9. - Deaths in public places.

§ 23-4-9. Deaths in public places.
In the event that a person dies suddenly on a public highway or elsewhere in the public view and the death appears to be from natural causes or the result of injuries received from a highway accident, the state police or any superior officer of the local police or an agent of the office of state medical examiners may order the removal of the body from the place of death, upon completion of their investigation as to the cause and manner of death, to the funeral home designated by a family representative of the deceased or to the state morgue or any hospital.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 169, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners › Section 23-4-10. - Disposition of deceased bodies.

§ 23-4-10. Disposition of deceased bodies.
(a)
The office of state medical examiners shall, after any postmortem examination or any autopsy, promptly release the deceased body to the relatives, representatives or domestic partners of the deceased. The cost of transporting the deceased body to a mortuary within the state of the relatives’ or domestic partner’s choice shall be borne by the state if the autopsy was required to be performed as provided in this chapter. If there are no known relatives, representatives or domestic partners, the office of state medical examiners, after reasonable public notices, shall cause the body of the deceased person to be buried. The general treasurer of the state shall have first priority in recovering the expenses of burial from the estate of the deceased person.
(b)
For the purpose of this chapter, “domestic partner” shall be defined as a person who, prior to the decedent’s death, was in an exclusive, intimate and committed relationship with the decedent, and who certifies by affidavit that their relationship met the following qualifications:
(1)
Both partners were at least eighteen (18) years of age and were mentally competent to contract;
(2)
Neither partner is married to anyone else;
(3)
Partners were not related by blood to a degree which would prohibit marriage in the state of Rhode Island;
(4)
Partners resided together and had resided together for at least one year at the time of death; and
(5)
Partners were financially interdependent as evidenced by at least two (2) of the following:
(i)
Domestic partnership agreement or relationship contract;
(ii)
Joint mortgage or joint ownership of primary residence;
(iii)
Two (2) of the following:
(A)
Joint ownership of motor vehicle;
(B)
Joint checking account;
(C)
Joint credit account;
(D)
Joint lease; and/or
(iv)
The domestic partner had been designated as a beneficiary for the decedent’s will, retirement contract or life insurance.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 169, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 306, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 369, § 2; P.L. 2009, ch. 385, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners › Section 23-4-11. - Effects and property of deceased.

§ 23-4-11. Effects and property of deceased.
An agent of the office of state medical examiners, as the case may be, may take into his or her possession all articles and property of the deceased on or about the body and shall deliver them to the office of the chief medical examiner if an autopsy or postmortem examination is ordered, but shall otherwise deliver them to a member of the family taking a receipt for them. Provided, however, any letter, note, or any other written instrument, the contents of which relate to the manner or cause of the death of the deceased, shall be permanently retained in the files of the office. If an autopsy is ordered, the chief medical examiner shall upon completion of the investigation deliver all other articles or property to a member of the family of the deceased taking a receipt from that family member and, if any dispute exists among members of the family, he or she shall hold the other articles or property for the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased when appointed. In the event that death shall have occurred in a hotel or other public place where possessions of the deceased may be lying, an agent of the office of state medical examiners shall make suitable arrangements for the protection of the property.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 169, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners › Section 23-4-12. - Compensation for recovery of body from water.

§ 23-4-12. Compensation for recovery of body from water.
When services are rendered in bringing to land the dead body of a person found in any of the harbors, rivers, or waters of the state, compensation for services as he or she deemed reasonable may be allowed; but this privilege shall not entitle any person to compensation for services rendered in search for a dead body.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 169, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 400, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners › Section 23-4-13. - Establishment of fees.

§ 23-4-13. Establishment of fees.
The director of the department of health shall establish fees for autopsy reports, cremation certificates, and statistics. The director shall also impose fees, at an hourly or daily rate, to give testimony in civil suits under this chapter. All fees are as set forth in § 23-1-54. The director is authorized to establish in regulation reasonable fees for additional documents not otherwise specified in this section. All of these fees shall be collected and deposited as general revenues; provided, however, that no city or town, or any agency or department of a city and town within the state, or the department of human services, shall be required to pay any fees established by the director pursuant to this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 169, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 27, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 400, § 2; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 59; P.L. 2003, ch. 172, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 39, § 27; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 9, § 37.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners › Section 23-4-14. - Preservation of reports — Tabular reports.

§ 23-4-14. Preservation of reports — Tabular reports.
The director of the department of health shall cause the returns received by the office of state medical examiners and reports made by that office on causes of death for each year, in accordance with this chapter, to be bound together with an index to the volume. The director of health in his or her capacity as ex officio state registrar shall prepare or cause to be prepared from the returns tabular results that will render them of practical utility, and shall annually report thereof in connection with the report of births, marriages, and deaths required by chapter 3 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 169, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners › Section 23-4-15. - Morgue.

§ 23-4-15. Morgue.
A centrally located morgue shall be provided with laboratories, furniture, equipment, records, and supplies that may be required in the conduct of the office of state medical examiners.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 169, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 400, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4 - Office of State Medical Examiners › Section 23-4-16. - Uniform determination of death.

§ 23-4-16. Uniform determination of death.
A person who has sustained either: (1) irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, or (2) irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, is dead. A determination of death must be made in accordance with accepted medical standards.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 411, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-1. - Declaration of policy and purpose.

§ 23-4.1-1. Declaration of policy and purpose.
(a)
The general assembly declares that it is the policy of the state to save lives and speed the healing of persons injured in accidents or otherwise in need of medical service by providing an emergency care system that will bring the injured or sick person under the care of persons properly trained to care for the injured or sick in the shortest practical time and that will provide safe transportation for the injured or sick person to a treatment center prepared to receive the injured person.
(b)
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote this policy by providing the means by which the best possible first aid treatment can be brought to the injured or sick person in the shortest practical time and by which the injured or sick person can be safely transported to a medical treatment center in proper equipment that is designed to provide supportive care for the injured or sick person and which is able to communicate with the medical treatment center regarding the treatment of the injured or sick person.
(c)
It is the plan of this chapter to provide help for any scheme of emergency medical service that provides trained personnel, furnishes adequate equipment, and which furnishes emergency medical service to the public.
(d)
It is not the intent of this chapter to prevent the operation of any nonprofit ambulance service which meets the minimum standards as provided by this chapter for the training of ambulance personnel and for medical service equipment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 264, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-52-1; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.1-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-3. - Duties of the director.

§ 23-4.1-3. Duties of the director.
(a)
The director of health, referred to as the “director,” shall have full authority to implement the provisions of this chapter and shall be guided by the purposes and intent of this chapter.
(b)
The director shall cooperate with hospitals, furnishers of ambulance services, local governments, police departments, fire departments, emergency units, first aid groups, or any other groups that furnish or work with groups that furnish emergency medical services.
(c)
The director shall cooperate with concerned agencies and individuals to coordinate programs for training emergency medical technicians, and other persons who provide emergency medical care services, including dispatchers. If funds are available, the director may establish training grants to aid groups and communities to train people in emergency medical care.
(d)
The standards used by the director under this chapter shall be reasonable and based upon local and statewide conditions. However, the minimum standards imposed by the director may be the standards issued by any responsible organization having its main concern the disposition of injured persons.
(e)
The director shall annually submit a report to the governor and the general assembly.
(f)
The director shall cooperate in the coordination of ambulance services throughout the state with local or state police and fire authorities and other concerned agencies and individuals, including the state civil defense agency. This coordination may be tested by local exercises from time to time.
(g)
The director shall cooperate with concerned agencies and individuals in the development of a state communications network involving the transportation of injured persons by vehicles licensed under this chapter and hospitals. The director may allocate available funds for the establishing and maintenance of a communications network involving vehicles, hospitals, and other emergency treating organizations within the state.
(h)
The director shall cooperate with concerned agencies and individuals in the development of a plan for the coordination of ambulance dispatching services with the state.
(i)
When proposing standards under this chapter, the director shall prepare and publish for the board a financial impact statement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 264, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-52-3; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.1-3; P.L. 1979, ch. 378, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 281, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 20; P.L. 1990, ch. 363, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 371, § 1, effective July 13, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 372, § 1, effective July 13, 2021.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-4. - Minimum standards.

§ 23-4.1-4. Minimum standards.
The director shall establish minimum standards to be met in the following areas:
(1)
Licensing;
(2)
Vehicles;
(3)
Equipment for vehicles;
(4)
Personnel;
(5)
Training;
(6)
Communications;
(7)
Cooperation with other units;
(8)
Treatment of acutely ill or injured persons by ambulance and rescue personnel; and
(9)
Financial capacity of private ambulance service providers.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 264, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-52-4; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.1-4; P.L. 1979, ch. 378, § 1; P.L. 1982, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 281, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 170, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-5. - Supervision of ambulance services.

§ 23-4.1-5. Supervision of ambulance services.
The director is responsible for the statewide supervision of ambulance and rescue services and all equipment and persons coming under the provisions of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 264, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-52-5; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.1-5; P.L. 1983, ch. 281, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 189, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-7. - Standards for ambulance license.

§ 23-4.1-7. Standards for ambulance license.
The director of health shall issue regulations to govern the standards of suitability of ambulances for the transportation of patients from the standpoint of health, sanitation, safety, communications, maintenance, on-board medical equipment, safety equipment, extraction equipment, ambulance markings, garaging conditions, and care and condition of the ambulance and its equipment, and to govern minimum financial capacity of private ambulance service providers.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 264, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-52-7; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.1-7; P.L. 1983, ch. 281, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 170, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-7.1. - Restocking of municipal ambulance supplies.

§ 23-4.1-7.1. Restocking of municipal ambulance supplies.
(a)
The director of health, with the cooperation of hospitals and freestanding emergency-care facilities licensed in accordance with chapter 17 of this title, will develop a listing of supplies that are subject to mandatory restocking in accordance with subsection (b).
(b)
Every hospital and freestanding emergency-care facility licensed in accordance with chapter 17 of this title is required to restock supplies listed in accordance with subsection (a) that are used by a licensed, emergency-medical-services provider in transporting emergency patients to hospitals or freestanding emergency-care facilities licensed in accordance with chapter 17 of this title. Restocking will not be required:
(1)
In the absence of documentation of supply usage on the emergency patient’s RI EMS ambulance run report; or
(2)
If the licensed, emergency-medical-services provider bills any third-party payer for the supplies that were used.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 336, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 292, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 417, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 418, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-8. - Applications for license.

§ 23-4.1-8. Applications for license.
(a)
Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, municipality, volunteer units, or any other business or organization providing ambulance service shall, at the time of license application, furnish the director of health with a list of all persons authorized to act as an attendant of any ambulance owned or operated by the applicant. Further, all applicants shall submit to the director the person who shall serve as the emergency medical service physician medical director (the “physician medical director”). The physician medical director shall be a physician board-certified or board-eligible in emergency medicine and/or E.M.S. The physician medical director must have an active Rhode Island license to practice medicine. The ambulance service coordinating advisory board shall establish standards for the duties and responsibilities of the physician medical director.
(b)
The director shall provide application forms for licenses under this section.
(c)
Subject to the approval of the board, the director shall make reasonable minimum standards of health, performance, fitness, education, and moral fitness. The director may use the guides established by the American College of Surgeons’ Board of Regents as a standard, except that a felony conviction shall not necessarily disqualify an attendant.
(d)
Each applicant shall hold a current certificate of completion of either:
(1)
An emergency medical responder course;
(2)
An emergency medical technician course;
(3)
An advanced emergency medical technician course;
(4)
An advanced emergency medical technician-cardiac course; or
(5)
A paramedic course.
These courses shall be approved by the board. The certificate needed shall be decided by the person, firm, partnership, corporation, municipality, or any other business or organization providing ambulance service employing the individual licensee or in the case of a volunteer unit the unit for whom the individual licensee is volunteering for.
(e)
If there is a hardship imposed upon any applicant for a license because of an unusual circumstance, the applicant may apply to the director for a temporary waiver of the licensing provisions for good cause shown. The director has the power to waive licensing provisions for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 264, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-52-8; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.1-8; P.L. 1983, ch. 281, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 371, § 1, effective July 13, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 372, § 1, effective July 13, 2021.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-9. - Revocation of license.

§ 23-4.1-9. Revocation of license.
(a)
Any license granted under this chapter may be suspended or revoked by the director for cause, after a hearing. Appeal from a decision of the director may be taken pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42.
(b)
Cause for suspension or revocation of a license is failure to comply with any of the provisions or standards of this chapter or of any regulations of the director issued under authority of this chapter. All inspection reports are rebuttable evidence of the facts or conclusions stated in them as to the compliance or noncompliance with the pertinent laws or regulations involved in the licensing.
(c)
Before suspending or revoking a license, the director shall give the licensee notice of the particular charge of violation against him or her.
(d)
If the licensee fails to correct the deficiencies charged against him or her, or fails to comply with the law or regulations to the satisfaction of the director, the director shall notify the licensee of the charges against him or her, and the time and place of the hearing on the charges. The director shall set a reasonable time to allow a proper defense against the charges. The licensee may be represented by counsel, and may present witnesses in his or her behalf. The director shall issue a written decision, which shall include findings of fact. The decision shall be sent to the licensee by registered mail within ten (10) days of the decision.
(e)
If any license is suspended or revoked, the holder shall immediately stop all operations authorized by the license.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 264, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-52-9; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.1-9; P.L. 1983, ch. 281, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 189, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-10. - Regulations and fees.

§ 23-4.1-10. Regulations and fees.
(a)
The director shall be guided by the purposes and intent of this chapter in the making of regulations as authorized by this chapter.
(b)
The director may issue regulations necessary to bring into effect any of the provisions of this chapter.
(c)(1)
The director shall charge license fees for an annual license for an ambulance service, for an annual vehicle license, and for an emergency medical technician license. All such fees are as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(2)
The director may charge an examination fee for examinations for an emergency medical technician license and an inspection fee for inspections for a vehicle license as set forth in § 23-1-54.
(3)
The director is also authorized to establish reasonable fees for other administrative actions that the director shall deem necessary to implement this chapter. The fees provided for in this section shall be deposited as general revenues and shall not apply to any city or town employee providing services referenced in this chapter on behalf of the city or town, and shall not apply to any individual providing services referenced in this chapter on behalf of any bona fide volunteer or not for profit organization. Further, the services licensure fees and vehicle inspection fees shall not apply to services and vehicles operated by any city, town, or fire district or to services and vehicles operated by bona fide volunteer or not for profit organizations.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 264, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-52-10; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.1-10; P.L. 1983, ch. 281, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 33, § 1; P.L., 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 60; P.L. 2001, ch. 77, art. 14, § 29; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 39, § 28; P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 9, § 38.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-13. - Exclusion of non-emergency providers.

§ 23-4.1-13. Exclusion of non-emergency providers.
Private ambulance services that are used solely for the transportation of non-emergency patients shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter and chapter 17.6 of this title. These services, however, must continue to conform to rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter which were in effect on May 1, 1982.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 95, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-14. - Notification of next of kin or other member of household.

§ 23-4.1-14. Notification of next of kin or other member of household.
Whenever any person requires emergency medical transportation from their home or business establishment by any private or public ambulance or rescue vehicle, and no member of the patient’s family, household or a business associate is present at the time of evaluation, the rescue team shall affix a sticker or other means of notification in the place of evaluation. The sticker shall note the patient’s name if available and a telephone number where information can be obtained to ascertain the patient’s whereabouts. Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall not result in any civil or criminal liability on the part of the private or public ambulance or rescue vehicle company or their personnel.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 67, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-15. - Trauma system advisory committee.

§ 23-4.1-15. Trauma system advisory committee.
There is established within the department of health a trauma system advisory committee. The committee, appointed by the director, shall include representatives of the following groups: consumers, third-party payers, emergency medical technicians, hospitals, physicians, nurses, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, the department of health, the ambulance service advisory board, emergency medical service providers, and the Rhode Island Medical Society. Each nonprofit hospital with an emergency medical service shall have a representative appointed by its president. In addition, there shall be two (2) members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker, one of whom shall be a member of the minority party, and two (2) members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, one of whom shall be a member of the minority party. Subject to the limitations of existing data and other resources, the committee shall undertake a thorough examination of all aspects of the state’s trauma system, including:
(1)
A review of the current utilization of trauma services for each acute care hospital;
(2)
A review of each hospital’s trauma patient mix and mortality and morbidity rates for classes of patients;
(3)
Hospital staffing patterns and likely future needs;
(4)
The current financing of trauma care including the issue of uncompensated care and an examination of additional costs for system enhancement; and
(5)
Pre-hospital care protocols and emergency medical services’ capabilities and integration needs.
History of Section.
P.L. 1993, ch. 375, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 39.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-16. - Emergency medical services for children.

§ 23-4.1-16. Emergency medical services for children.
(a)
There is established within the department of health, division of emergency medical services (EMS), an emergency medical services for children (EMSC) program. The EMSC program, operated within the department of emergency medicine of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, shall be recognized by the department of health as a resource to the state’s overall emergency medical services system, in order to effect the provisions of this chapter. The objective and directive of the EMSC program shall be to continue, to the extent that funds through the federal government, state government or private sources are available for this purpose, the growth and development of those programs already in effect pursuant to the federal grant received under the maternal and child health bureau. The goal and objective of the program shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:
(1)
To develop and implement new statewide EMS treatment protocols that emphasize pediatric emergency care, along with supporting EMT education and training programs;
(2)
To develop programs for parents and communities, which shall:
(i)
Identify and reduce barriers to emergency care for children;
(ii)
Provide information relating to health promotion and injury prevention; and
(iii)
Focus on recognition of emergencies, and improving access to and appropriate use of the local EMS systems; and
(3)
The program shall also provide periodic case reviews and follow-up to EMS personnel in pediatric cases.
(b)
The EMSC program may solicit, receive, and spend funds it receives from the federal government, state government or private sources to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(c)
The EMSC program may employ or contract with professional, technical, research, and clerical staff, and with health care facilities that have expertise in pediatric care, as necessary within the limits of available funding.
History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 120, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 109, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 163, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-17. - Advertising services.

§ 23-4.1-17. Advertising services.
Any licensee licensed pursuant to this chapter shall include in any advertising of its services that is directed to the general public, the following language: “In case of medical emergency dial 911.”
History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 294, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.1 - Emergency Medical Transportation Services › Section 23-4.1-19. - Documentation of pre-healthcare facility exposure of emergency medical services workers.

§ 23-4.1-19. Documentation of pre-healthcare facility exposure of emergency medical services workers.
(a)
Any emergency service worker responding on behalf of a licensed ambulance/rescue service, or a fire department or a law enforcement agency who has sufficient reason to believe that, in the course of their professional duties, they have been exposed to bodily fluids or other substances that may result in the worker contracting a serious infection and/or illness shall complete a pre-healthcare facility exposure form. The worker shall file a copy of the form with the hospital or freestanding emergency-care facility receiving the transported patient believed to be the source of the infectious materials to which the worker believes he or she has been exposed. The worker shall file the form with the hospital or freestanding emergency-care facility immediately post exposure. The worker shall retain a copy of the completed form, except for that information protected by applicable confidentiality laws. The source patient’s diagnostic information shall not appear on the pre-healthcare facility exposure form.
(b)
The director of the department of health, with the advice of the ambulance services advisory board, shall develop the pre-healthcare facility exposure form, and shall make copies available to all agencies employing emergency medical service workers, hospitals and freestanding emergency-care facilities.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 224, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 417, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 418, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.5 - Blood Bank Services › Section 23-4.5-1. - Blood donations by minors.

§ 23-4.5-1. Blood donations by minors.
Any person of the age of seventeen (17) or over shall be eligible to donate blood in any voluntary and non-compensatory blood program without the necessity of obtaining permission or authorization of his/her parent or guardian. Any person sixteen (16) years of age may donate his or her blood upon obtaining prior permission of his or her parent or guardian.
History of Section.
P.L. 1970, ch. 318, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-50-1; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.5-1; P.L. 1985, ch. 249, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 237, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 238, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.5 - Blood Bank Services › Section 23-4.5-2. - Blood banks regulated.

§ 23-4.5-2. Blood banks regulated.
(a)
No person or entity may collect blood, blood products, plasma or blood derivatives in the state of Rhode Island for transfusion unless it:
(1)
Is licensed as a hospital in the state of Rhode Island; or
(2)(i)
Is licensed as a clinical laboratory as defined in §§ 23-16.2 and 23-16.2-4; and
(ii)
Maintains a facility in the state of Rhode Island for the collection, processing and testing of blood, blood products, plasma or blood derivatives, such testing to include all tests required by the food and drug administration regarding testing of donated blood.
(b)
The director of the Rhode Island department of health shall have the power to issue regulations implementing this section, including the enforcement hereof. Whether or not regulations have been issued, no license may be issued or renewed under subsection (a) hereof except in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(c)
No person or entity licensed as described in subsection (a) hereof may authorize any third party not so licensed to collect blood or blood products on its behalf in the state of Rhode Island, except that those entities as described in subsection (a) may temporarily authorize a qualified third party to collect blood on their behalf should the licensed entity be unable to collect blood to meet emergency needs.
History of Section.
P.L. 2013, ch. 266, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 360, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.6 - Consent to Medical and Surgical Care › Section 23-4.6-1. - Consent to medical and surgical care.

§ 23-4.6-1. Consent to medical and surgical care.
(a)
Any person of the age of sixteen (16) or over or married may consent to routine, emergency, medical or surgical care. A minor parent may consent to treatment of his or her child.
(b)
In addition to the provisions of subsection (a), any person, including, but not limited to, a minor who is pregnant, may give effective consent for medical, dental, health, and hospital services relating to prenatal, delivery, and post-delivery care. The attending physician shall comply with § 40-11-3. Consent shall not be given pursuant to this subsection for abortion or sterilization.
History of Section.
P.L. 1971, ch. 145, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-51-1; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-4.6-1; P.L. 2018, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 251, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.7 - Informed Consent for Abortion › Section 23-4.7-1. - “Abortion” defined.

§ 23-4.7-1. “Abortion” defined.
“Abortion” for the purpose of this chapter means administering to a woman, known to be pregnant, any medicine, drug, substance, or thing whatever, or the employment upon her of any instrument or means whatever, with intent to terminate a pregnancy. The term shall not include the administering of any medicine, drug, substance, or thing or the employment of any instrument or means for the purpose of completing an incomplete, spontaneous miscarriage.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.7 - Informed Consent for Abortion › Section 23-4.7-2. - Informed written consent required.

§ 23-4.7-2. Informed written consent required.
In order to insure that a woman’s consent to abortion is truly informed consent, an abortion shall be performed only after the woman has given her consent, in writing, in a form satisfying the provisions of § 23-4.7-5.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.7 - Informed Consent for Abortion › Section 23-4.7-3. - Required disclosures.

§ 23-4.7-3. Required disclosures.
(a)
Either the physician who is to perform the abortion or his or her authorized agent or another physician or his or her authorized agent shall:
(1)
Inform the woman that she is pregnant and inform her of the estimated gestational age of the fetus at the time of the disclosure.
(2)
Explain to the woman the medical nature of an abortion, including the probable gestational age of the fetus at the time the abortion is to be performed.
(3)
Explain to the woman the medical or surgical procedure to be employed to perform the abortion.
(4)
Explain to the woman all known material medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure to be employed. In the event a physician or his or her authorized agent determines that the disclosure of a known material risk should not be made, that risk need not be disclosed, provided the medical basis for the nondisclosure is certified in writing in the patient’s medical record.
(b)
In addition, a physician or his or her authorized agent may inform the woman of any other material facts or opinions or otherwise state anything with respect to the disclosures required in this section which, in the exercise of his or her best medical judgment, is reasonably necessary to enable the woman to give her informed consent to the proposed abortion, with full knowledge of its nature and consequences.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.7 - Informed Consent for Abortion › Section 23-4.7-4. - Emergency requiring immediate action.

§ 23-4.7-4. Emergency requiring immediate action.
Where there is an emergency requiring immediate action, the requirements of this chapter may be waived. The woman’s attending physician shall certify in writing in the patient’s medical record that an emergency exists and the medical basis for his or her opinion.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.7 - Informed Consent for Abortion › Section 23-4.7-5. - Consent form.

§ 23-4.7-5. Consent form.
(a)
The woman’s written consent required by § 23-4.7-2 shall be on a form provided by the physician or facility and containing:
(1)
The disclosures required by § 23-4.7-3; and
(2)
The woman’s acknowledgment that either the physician who is to perform the abortion or his or her authorized agent or another physician or his or her authorized agent has provided her with the information required by § 23-4.7-3.
(b)(1)
The form shall in addition include the following statement: “If you decide to carry your pregnancy to term but not to keep the child, you may be able to place the child with either a relative, or with another family through foster care or adoption.”
(2)
The person making the disclosures required under § 23-4.7-3 shall not be required to state anything with respect to the contents of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(c)
In cases where the woman does not understand English, either the consent form shall be written in a language understood by her, or the person informing her shall certify on the consent form that in his or her opinion, the information required to be given by § 23-4.7-3 has been given in a manner as to be understandable by her; if an interpreter is used, the interpreter shall be named and reference to that use shall be made on the consent form.
(d)
A copy of the form shall be made available to the woman upon her request.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.7 - Informed Consent for Abortion › Section 23-4.7-6. - Minors — Parental consent — Judicial proceedings.

§ 23-4.7-6. Minors — Parental consent — Judicial proceedings.
Except in the case of a minor who has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be emancipated, if a pregnant woman is less than eighteen (18) years of age and has not married, an abortion shall not be performed upon her unless both the consent of the pregnant woman and that of at least one of her parents is obtained, except as provided in this section. In deciding whether to grant consent, a pregnant woman’s parents shall consider only their child’s best interests. If both parents have died or are otherwise unavailable to the physician within a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner, consent of the pregnant woman’s legal guardian or one of her guardians shall be sufficient. If a pregnant woman less than eighteen (18) years of age has not married and if neither of her parents or guardians agree to consent to the performance of an abortion, or if she elects not to seek the consent of either of her parents or guardians, a judge of the family court shall, upon petition, or motion, and after an appropriate hearing, authorize a physician to perform the abortion, if the judge determines that the pregnant woman is mature and capable of giving informed consent to the proposed abortion or if the judge determines that she is not mature, but that the performance of an abortion upon her would be in her best interests. A pregnant woman less than eighteen (18) years of age may participate in proceedings in the family court on her own behalf, and she shall be represented in her proceeding by a guardian ad litem. Proceedings in the family court under this section shall be confidential and shall be given such precedence over other pending matters that the court may reach a decision promptly and without delay so as to serve the best interests of the pregnant woman. A judge of the family court who conducts proceedings under this section shall make in writing specific factual findings and legal conclusions supporting his or her decision and shall order a record of the evidence to be maintained including his or her own findings and conclusions.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.7 - Informed Consent for Abortion › Section 23-4.7-7. - Liability of physician.

§ 23-4.7-7. Liability of physician.
Any physician who knowingly violates the requirements of this chapter shall be deemed to have engaged in “unprofessional conduct” for the purposes of § 5-37-5.1. The willful failure to provide the woman with the substance of the information pursuant to the requirements of § 23-4.7-3 shall be prima facie evidence of failure to obtain informed consent in an action at law or in equity.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.7 - Informed Consent for Abortion › Section 23-4.7-8. - Severability.

§ 23-4.7-8. Severability.
If any section or provision of this chapter or the application of any section or provision is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other sections, provisions, or applications, and to this end the sections and provisions of this chapter are declared severable.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 323, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.8 - Spousal Notice for Abortion › Section 23-4.8-1. - [Repealed.]

§ 23-4.8-1. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 325, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2019, ch. 27, § 5, effective June 19, 2019.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.8 - Spousal Notice for Abortion › Section 23-4.8-2. - [Repealed.]

§ 23-4.8-2. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 325, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2019, ch. 27, § 5, effective June 19, 2019.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.8 - Spousal Notice for Abortion › Section 23-4.8-3. - [Repealed.]

§ 23-4.8-3. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 325, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 475, § 37; Repealed by P.L. 2019, ch. 27, § 5, effective June 19, 2019.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.8 - Spousal Notice for Abortion › Section 23-4.8-4. - [Repealed.]

§ 23-4.8-4. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 325, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2019, ch. 27, § 5, effective June 19, 2019.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.8 - Spousal Notice for Abortion › Section 23-4.8-5. - [Repealed.]

§ 23-4.8-5. [Repealed.]
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 325, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2019, ch. 27, § 5, effective June 19, 2019.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.9 - Retention of X-Rays › Section 23-4.9-1. - Retention of x-rays by healthcare providers.

§ 23-4.9-1. Retention of x-rays by healthcare providers.
Every physician, surgeon, hospital, health maintenance organization, or any other healthcare facility or provider that takes a mammography x-ray of any individual within this state shall keep and maintain that mammography x-ray for the period required by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 57, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 59, § 1, effective June 14, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 60, § 1, effective June 14, 2023.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.10 - Health Care Power of Attorney › Section 23-4.10-1. - Purpose.

§ 23-4.10-1. Purpose.
(a)
The legislature finds that adult persons have the fundamental right to control the decisions relating to the rendering of their own medical care.
(b)
In order that the rights of patients may be respected even after they are no longer able to participate actively in decisions about themselves, the legislature declares that the laws of the state shall recognize the right of an adult person to make a written durable power of attorney which might include instructing his or her physician to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures in the event of a terminal condition.
History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 443, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 72, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.10 - Health Care Power of Attorney › Section 23-4.10-1.1. - Definitions.

§ 23-4.10-1.1. Definitions.
The following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:
(1)
“Advance directive protocol” means a standardized, state-wide method developed for emergency service personnel by the department of health and approved by the ambulance service advisory board, of providing palliative care to, and withholding life-sustaining procedures from, a qualified patient.
(2)
“Artificial feeding” means the provision of nutrition or hydration by parenteral, nasogastric, gastric, or any means other than through per oral voluntary sustenance.
(3)
“Attending physician” means the physician who has primary responsibility for the treatment and care of the patient.
(4)
“Director” means the director of health.
(5)
“Durable power of attorney” means a witnessed document executed in accordance with the requirements of § 23-4.10-2.
(6)
“Emergency medical services personnel” means paid or volunteer firefighters, law enforcement officers, first responders, emergency medical technicians, or other emergency services personnel acting within the ordinary course of their professions.
(7)
“Health-care provider” means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by the law of this state to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.
(8)
“Life-sustaining procedure” means any medical procedure or intervention that, when administered to a patient, will serve only to prolong the dying process. “Life-sustaining procedure” shall not include any medical procedure or intervention considered necessary by the attending physician or emergency service personnel to provide comfort, care, or alleviate pain.
(9)
“Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, government, governmental subdivision or agency, or any other legal entity.
(10)
“Physician and/or doctor” means an individual licensed to practice medicine in this state.
(11)
“Terminal condition” means an incurable or irreversible condition that, without the administration of life-sustaining procedures, will, in the opinion of the attending physician, result in death.
History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 443, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 72, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 320, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-4.10 - Health Care Power of Attorney › Section 23-4.10-3. - Revocation.

§ 23-4.10-3. Revocation.
(a)
A durable power of attorney may be revoked at any time and in any manner by which the declarant is able to communicate an intent to revoke, without regard to mental or physical condition. A revocation is only effective as to the attending physician or any health care provider or emergency medical services personnel upon communication to that physician or health care provider or emergency medical services personnel by the declarant or by another who witnessed the revocation.
(b)
The attending physician or health care provider shall make the revocation a part of the declarant’s medical record.
(c)
For emergency medical services personnel, the absence of reliable documentation shall constitute a revocation of a durable power of attorney.
History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 443, § 2.