reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.20 - Healthcare Facilities Staffing › Section 23-17.20-5. - Collective bargaining agreements.

§ 23-17.20-5. Collective bargaining agreements.
The provisions of this chapter shall not negate any employee rights or benefits existing under collective bargaining agreements.
History of Section.
P.L. 2007, ch. 496, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.20 - Healthcare Facilities Staffing › Section 23-17.20-6. - Severability.

§ 23-17.20-6. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances are not affected by the invalidity.
History of Section.
P.L. 2007, ch. 496, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 515, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.20 - Healthcare Facilities Staffing › Section 23-17.20-7. - Use of non-Rhode Island licensed nurses.

§ 23-17.20-7. Use of non-Rhode Island licensed nurses.
(a)
Healthcare facilities shall report to the department of health the name and state of licensure of any registered nurse performing work duties at the facility who is not licensed in Rhode Island. This information shall be reported to the department within fourteen (14) business days from when the registered nurse not licensed in Rhode Island begins performing work duties at the healthcare facility. Healthcare facilities shall also report to the department the name and state of licensure of registered nurses not licensed in Rhode Island within fourteen (14) business days of when those nurses no longer perform work duties at the facility. The department shall make the above-prescribed information, with the exception of the names of the nurses, available to the public.
(b)
The department of health shall promulgate regulations to further define the terms, conditions, and requirements of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 2017, ch. 138, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 154, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.21 - The Rhode Island Patient Safety Act of 2008 › Section 23-17.21-1. - Title.

§ 23-17.21-1. Title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as “The Rhode Island Patient Safety Act of 2008.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 175, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.21 - The Rhode Island Patient Safety Act of 2008 › Section 23-17.21-2. - Legislative findings.

§ 23-17.21-2. Legislative findings.
The general assembly finds:
(a)
There are an unacceptable high number of preventable patient safety events in the health care system;
(b)
Current solutions that focus on reporting, discipline and retraining of individuals have proven inadequate alone to address this systemic problem.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 175, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.21 - The Rhode Island Patient Safety Act of 2008 › Section 23-17.21-3. - Legislative purpose and intent.

§ 23-17.21-3. Legislative purpose and intent.
The general assembly proposes a Rhode Island patient safety organization that:
(a)
Works with hospitals, nursing facilities, and freestanding ambulatory surgical centers for both the reporting of patient safety events including situations in which a patient safety event was averted (near misses) and evaluating the root causes of the patient safety event;
(b)
Recommends to health care providers changes to improve their patient safety through investigating system causes related to the patient safety events and, on at least an annual basis, to the department for statewide changes and policies that will advance patient safety and quality improvement;
(c)
Facilitates the creation and maintenance of a non-identifiable patient safety database. The database shall have the capacity to accept, aggregate, and analyze non-identifiable patient safety work product and data reported by entities and provide this to the national network of patient safety databases.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 175, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.21 - The Rhode Island Patient Safety Act of 2008 › Section 23-17.21-5. - Powers and duties of the department.

§ 23-17.21-5. Powers and duties of the department.
The powers necessary to carry out the duties of this chapter shall be vested in the director and are as follows:
(a)
The director shall certify a patient safety organization that has met the following criteria:
(1)
has a mission statement with one of its purposes to conduct activities to improve patient safety;
(2)
has qualified staff and professionals capable of reviewing and producing patient safety work product and recommendations for system changes;
(3)
is not a component of a health insurer or other entity that provides health insurance to individuals or group health plans; and
(4)
has a mission that does not create a conflict of interest with the health care providers who will submit patient safety work product to it.
(b)
The director shall establish a quality of care advisory committee that shall advise the department on PSO related issues. The advisory committee shall consist of fourteen (14) members who are appointed by the director and shall include no less than three (3) representatives of the hospital community; three (3) representatives of the nursing facility/long term care community; three (3) members of the freestanding ambulatory surgical center community; and five (5) others from the community as determined by the director. The term of office shall be for three (3) years. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. The committee shall advise the department on effective methods for sharing with health care providers the quality improvement information learned from the department’s review of reports and corrective action plans, including quality improvement practices, patient safety issues, and preventative strategies.
(c)
The director may promulgate rules and regulations in order to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 175, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.21 - The Rhode Island Patient Safety Act of 2008 › Section 23-17.21-6. - Requirements for reporting entities.

§ 23-17.21-6. Requirements for reporting entities.
(a)
Each reporting entity may enter into a written contract with a certified PSO in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(b)
Beginning January 1, 2009, a reporting entity may enter into a written contract with a patient safety organization to which it sends patient safety work product. Each contract shall require the reporting entity to maintain a document log itemizing the types of documents submitted to the PSO without indicating the content of such documents. Such document log shall be accessible to the department for the sole purpose of allowing the department to verify the type of information submitted to PSOs. The department shall not have access to patient safety work product. Such document log shall not be subject to a disclosure to, or use by, any person or entity, other than the PSO and the reporting entity with which it has contracted, and by the department for the sole purpose provided in this subsection.
(c)
Reporting entities shall not be exempt from the requirements of § 23-17-40 or § 5-37-9.
(d)
Patient safety work product (whether identifiable of nonidentifiable) and any document log submitted to the director under subsection (a) shall not be a public record for the purposes of chapter 38-2. Reporting entities shall not be considered a public body or agency for the purposes of chapter 38-2.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 175, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.21 - The Rhode Island Patient Safety Act of 2008 › Section 23-17.21-7. - Requirements for patient safety organizations.

§ 23-17.21-7. Requirements for patient safety organizations.
(a)
PSO shall be certified by the department before entering into a contract with a reporting entity.
(b)
A PSO shall provide guidance to reporting entities on reporting matters, and shall maintain all reports and associated documents as confidential and privileged, including any reports or information with identifiable information.
(c)
A PSO shall, as appropriate, disseminate to health care providers and facilities, the department, the quality of care advisory committee, and the public, information or recommendations, including suggested policies, procedures or protocols, on best medical practices or potential system changes designed to improve patient safety and the overall quality of care. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the PSO shall not disclose identifiable patient safety work product to the department, the quality of care advisory committee, or the public.
(d)
A PSO shall have in place appropriate safeguards and security measures to ensure the technical integrity, physical safety, and confidentiality of any patient safety work product. As provided for in § 23-17.21-8, patient safety work product shall be confidential, and shall not be subject to any discovery, access or use by any person or entity other than the PSO and the reporting entity with which the PSO has contracted. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a PSO from choosing to disclose patient safety work product, or portions of patient safety work product solely to a reporting entity, in conformity with the PSO’s mission and within its contractual obligations to the reporting entity submitted the information. No patient safety organization may release protected health information or patient identifying information without meeting the requirements of state laws and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 as amended from time to time.
(e)
The PSO shall adopt appropriate physical, technical and procedural safeguards to ensure the privacy and security of the patient safety work product. Such safeguards shall comply with the state and federal confidentiality laws including, without limitation, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and its implementing regulations (45 C.F.R. Parts 160-164).
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 175, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.21 - The Rhode Island Patient Safety Act of 2008 › Section 23-17.21-9. - Severability.

§ 23-17.21-9. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, any invalidity shall not affect the provisions or application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of the chapter are declared to be severable.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 175, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.22 - Healthy Rhode Island Reform Act of 2008 › Section 23-17.22-1. - Short title.

§ 23-17.22-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Healthy Rhode Island Reform Act of 2008.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 113, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 248, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.23 - Center for Health Professions › Section 23-17.23-1. - Legislative findings.

§ 23-17.23-1. Legislative findings.
The general assembly finds and declares that:
(1)
There is a growing shortage of qualified nurses and healthcare professionals available to meet the needs of patients in healthcare facilities in Rhode Island as documented in the report “Help wanted: The growing crisis in Rhode Island’s nursing workforce” prepared by Rhode Island shape foundation;
(2)
Healthcare facilities serving the citizens of the state are experiencing increasing difficulty in attracting nurses to administer to their patients;
(3)
Quality health care depends, in part, on the availability of nurses and healthcare professionals;
(4)
It is in the public interest and essential to the welfare and well-being of the inhabitants of the state that there be a sufficient number of nurses and healthcare workers in the state to serve the healthcare needs of patients; and
(5)
It is vital to the welfare of the state’s citizenry that incentives be provided to attract and retain nurses and healthcare professionals to provide service in healthcare facilities throughout the state.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 45, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 81, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.23 - Center for Health Professions › Section 23-17.23-2. - Center for health professions established.

§ 23-17.23-2. Center for health professions established.
There is hereby created a center for health professions under the auspices of the health partnership council of Rhode Island for the purpose of developing a sufficient, diverse, and well trained healthcare workforce to ensure the citizens of Rhode Island continue to have access to high quality healthcare.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 45, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 81, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.23 - Center for Health Professions › Section 23-17.23-3. - Responsibilities of the center for health professions.

§ 23-17.23-3. Responsibilities of the center for health professions.
(a)
The center for health professions will coordinate, facilitate and communicate statewide efforts to meet supply and demand needs for Rhode Island’s healthcare workforce. The initial focus for the center shall include nursing which is experiencing the greatest workforce shortages.
(b)
The center shall further focus on:
(1)
Data collection to support strategic decisions and policy recommendations to measure and evaluate efforts over time and to certify on an ongoing basis:
(i)
Current healthcare professions supply and demand;
(ii)
Future supply and demand; and
(iii)
Gap analysis.
(2)
Education and training to ensure Rhode Island’s current education and training systems have the resources to adequately support workforce demand and establish the centralized clinical placement registry to move students through the postsecondary education pipeline in an efficient manner.
(3)
Recruitment to increase the level of awareness and diversity of the healthcare workforce.
(4)
Research, design and implement creative retention initiatives which will assist the state of Rhode Island retain its healthcare professionals.
(c)
The center for health professions shall serve as a repository for healthcare workforce data and provide professional development opportunities and research best practices with the goal of streamlining both public and private resources and eliminating duplication of effort.
(d)
The center may accept funding that includes, but is not limited to, monetary contributions, contractual arrangements, in-kind services, federal and state workforce development appropriated funds, private and public foundation grants and fees for service products.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 45, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 81, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.24 - The Adult Supportive Care Residence Act › Section 23-17.24-2. - Licensure requirements.

§ 23-17.24-2. Licensure requirements.
(a)
No person shall operate an adult supportive care home without first obtaining a license from the Rhode Island department of health.
(b)
The director is authorized to promulgate regulations for the departmental licensure of adult supportive care homes including, but not limited to, minimum requirements for managers, staffing, staff training, assessments, service plan development, services to include food service and housekeeping/laundry, physical and environment standards for the home, resident rights, resident records, resident capacity for self-preservation, residency agreement/contracts and quality assurance.
(c)
The department may adopt regulations for special care requirements beyond the personal assistance required in § 23-17.23-1(5) for adult supportive care homes serving persons with dementia and/or behavioral health diagnoses.
(d)
Criminal background checks of persons seeking employment at adult supportive care homes shall be conducted in accordance with the standards and procedures contained in §§ 23-17.4-27, 23-17.4-28 and 23-17.4-30.
(e)
An adult supportive care home shall provide a qualified on-duty staff person over the age of eighteen (18) on the premises at all times that any supportive care residents are on the premises of the home.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 290, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.24 - The Adult Supportive Care Residence Act › Section 23-17.24-3. - Inspections — Corrections of violations — Immediate suspension of license — Penalties.

§ 23-17.24-3. Inspections — Corrections of violations — Immediate suspension of license — Penalties.
(a)
An adult supportive care home license shall remain valid unless voluntarily surrendered, suspended, or revoked in accordance with this chapter.
(b)
Adult supportive care homes applying for a license shall be inspected at the time of licensure and at least every eighteen (18) months thereafter. The department may make an unannounced inspection of an adult supportive care home at any time to assure that the home and licensee are in compliance with this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter.
(c)
If the department finds that the home is not in compliance with this chapter or rules adopted under the authority of this chapter it shall require the home to correct any violations. The department has the authority to:
(1)
Order the home to admit no additional persons or to transfer residents to alternate settings, as corrective actions to secure regulatory compliance.
(2)
Immediately suspend a license if it finds that conditions in the home constitute an imminent danger to residents.
(d)
Every person or corporation who shall willfully and continually violate the provisions of this chapter will be subject to a fine or not less than three hundred dollars ($300) nor more than three thousand dollars ($3,000) for each violation of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 290, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.25 - Distressed Essential Community Hospitals › Section 23-17.25-1. - Legislative findings.

§ 23-17.25-1. Legislative findings.
(1)
Certain community hospitals act as the sole source of immediate access to hospital care for residents of the areas they serve and are essential to the maintenance of public health and safety;
(2)
The diversity of services provided by these essential community hospitals are necessary for the overall health and safety of the community, but result in financial distress for the hospitals that must serve large uninsured or governmentally insured populations;
(3)
The distressed essential community hospitals generally report a loss from operations and are in such a position that their liabilities exceed their assets;
(4)
Because of the important medical services provided by such hospitals, restoring and ensuring the continued financial viability of these distressed essential community hospitals is necessary for the public health and safety;
(5)
Landmark Medical Center, located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, is a distressed essential community hospital, currently under the supervision of the Rhode Island superior court pursuant to a special mastership;
(6)
In fiscal year 2009, Landmark Medical Center provided care for nearly forty thousand (40,000) emergency room patients, seven thousand (7,000) inpatient cases and seventy-five thousand (75,000) outpatient visits, proving that the financial viability of Landmark Medical Center is vital to the public health and safety of the community it serves;
(7)
Ensuring the financial viability of Landmark Medical Center will preserve one thousand three hundred (1,300) jobs and benefit the state of Rhode Island;
(8)
Landmark Medical Center, or its successor-in-interest, if any, must be permitted a sufficient amount of time to use any funds allocated to it for the purposes of financial assistance to restore its financial viability and ensure its stability in the future; and
(9)
To preserve the viability of an essential community hospital, it may be necessary for purposes of certain Medicare classifications to designate such a hospital as a rural hospital.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 155, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.25 - Distressed Essential Community Hospitals › Section 23-17.25-2. - Distressed essential community hospital sales and use tax exemption.

§ 23-17.25-2. Distressed essential community hospital sales and use tax exemption.
(a)
Notwithstanding any provision of title 44 of the Rhode Island general laws to the contrary, in recognition of Landmark Medical Center’s status as a distressed essential community hospital neither Landmark Medical Center or any entity owned or controlled by Landmark Medical Center (hereinafter defined collectively as “LMC”), nor any success-in-interest to LMC (regardless of whether any such successor operates for profit or is subject to federal or state taxation), shall be required to pay or otherwise be financially responsible for any Rhode Island sales and use taxes that might otherwise be due in connection with any purchases, capital improvements, or any other activities conducted by LMC (or its successors-in-interest) pursuant to the health facility licenses maintained by LMC (or its successors-in-interest).
(b)
Notwithstanding subsection (a) herein, this “distressed essential community hospital sales and use tax exemption” shall not apply to Northern Rhode Island Rehab Management Associates, L.P. d/b/a Rehab Hospital of Rhode Island (“RHRI”) nor any successor-in-interest to Northern Rhode Island Rehab Management Associates, L.P. d/b/a Rehab Hospital of Rhode Island (“RHRI”).
(c)
This sales and use tax exemption shall be effective as of the effective date of LMC’s conversion to a for-profit entity, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 17.14 of this title (Hospital Conversions Act) and shall continue for a period of twelve (12) years.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 155, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.25 - Distressed Essential Community Hospitals › Section 23-17.25-3. - Rural hospital designation.

§ 23-17.25-3. Rural hospital designation.
The State of Rhode Island designates Landmark Medical Center as a rural hospital for purposes of satisfying special payment designations under the Medicare program, if Landmark Medical Center or its successor-in-interest, if any, should choose to seek such special designations.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 155, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.26 - Comprehensive Discharge Planning › Section 23-17.26-1. - Findings.

§ 23-17.26-1. Findings.
The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
(1)
According to data provided by the department of health; in 2009, over 1 in five (5) adults discharged from acute care hospitals in Rhode Island were readmitted within thirty (30) days;
(2)
During that same period, the readmission rate for adults over the age of sixty-five (65) rose to almost thirty percent (30%);
(3)
The issue of hospital readmissions has emerged nationally as a critical focal point for improving quality, ensuring patient safety, and controlling excessive costs;
(4)
Locally, high hospital readmission rates are often due to: missing or incorrect information regarding patients; ill-timed information transfer; medication errors or poor compliance; lack of outpatient follow-up; or lack of follow-up by patients when their symptoms worsen;
(5)
Evidence-based interventions can improve communications systems and patient activation, thus addressing the root causes of hospital readmissions and reducing rates;
(6)
Encouraging best practices in patient discharge and transitions out of hospitals offers significant potential for improving patient care and containing healthcare costs in Rhode Island; and,
(7)
The State of Rhode Island, with the cooperation of the state’s hospitals, has already made significant gains in fostering care coordination and improving quality of care.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 114, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 119, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.26 - Comprehensive Discharge Planning › Section 23-17.26-2. - Definitions.

§ 23-17.26-2. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
“Director” means the director of department of health.
(2)
“Department” means the department of health.
(3)
“Emergency room diversion facility” means a healthcare facility approved by the Rhode Island department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals to act as an immediate alternative to a hospital or emergency room, and which concentrates on treating non-urgent substance use disorders that can be appropriately treated in alternative settings.
(4)
“Healthcare clinic” means a healthcare facility licensed in accordance with chapter 17 of this title and that primarily delivers ambulatory care on an out-patient basis.
(5)
“Hospital” means a person or governmental entity licensed in accordance with chapter 17 of this title to establish, maintain, and operate a hospital.
(6)
“Urgent care center” means a healthcare facility licensed in accordance with chapter 17 of this title that primarily provides emergent healthcare services and urgent healthcare services as defined in § 23-17.12-2.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 114, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 119, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 108, § 3; P.L. 2014, ch. 130, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.26 - Comprehensive Discharge Planning › Section 23-17.26-4. - Severability.

§ 23-17.26-4. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, any invalidity shall not affect the provisions or application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of the chapter are declared to be severable.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 114, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 119, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.27 - Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act › Section 23-17.27-1. - Definitions.

§ 23-17.27-1. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
“After-care” means any assistance provided by a caregiver to a patient under this chapter after the patient’s discharge from a hospital that is related to the patient’s condition at the time of discharge. Such assistance may include, but is not limited to, assisting with basic activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), or other tasks as determined to be appropriate by the discharging physician or other healthcare professional.
(2)
“Caregiver” means any individual duly designated as a caregiver by a patient under this chapter who provides after-care assistance to a patient living in his or her residence. A designated caregiver may include, but is not limited to, a relative, partner, friend, or neighbor who has a significant relationship with the patient.
(3)
“Discharge” means a patient’s exit or release from a hospital to the patient’s residence following an inpatient admission.
(4)
“Entry” means a patient’s admission into a hospital for the purposes of medical care.
(5)
“Hospital” means a facility licensed under Rhode Island statute.
(6)
“Patient” means a patient eighteen (18) years of age or older.
(7)
“Residence” means a dwelling that the patient considers to be his or her home. A “residence” for the purposes of this chapter shall not include any rehabilitation facility, hospital, nursing home, assisted-living facility, or group home licensed by Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 115, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.27 - Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act › Section 23-17.27-2. - Caregiver designation.

§ 23-17.27-2. Caregiver designation.
(a)
Any hospital licensed pursuant to this title shall provide each patient or, if applicable, the patient’s legal guardian with an opportunity to designate at least one caregiver under this chapter following the patient’s entry into a hospital.
(1)
In the event that the patient is unconscious or otherwise incapacitated upon his or her entry into a hospital, the hospital shall provide such patient, or his/her legal guardian, with an opportunity to designate a caregiver within a given timeframe, at the discretion of the attending physician or other healthcare professional, following the patient’s recovery of consciousness of capacity. The hospital shall inform the patient that the purpose of providing a caregiver’s identity is to include that caregiver and discharge planning and sharing of post-discharge care information or instruction.
(2)
In the event that the patient, or the patient’s legal guardian, declines to designate a caregiver under this chapter, the hospital shall promptly document this in the patient’s medical record.
(3)
In the event that the patient or the patient’s legal guardian designates an individual as a caregiver under this chapter:
(i)
The hospital shall record the patient’s designation of the caregiver, the relationship of the designated caregiver to the patient, and the name, telephone number, and the address of the patient’s designated caregiver in the patient’s medical record.
(ii)
The hospital shall promptly request the written consent of the patient, or the patient’s legal guardian, to release medical information to the patient’s designated caregiver following the hospital’s established procedures for releasing personal health information and in compliance with all federal and state laws.
(A)
If the patient or the patient’s legal guardian declines to consent to release medical information to the patient’s designated caregiver, the hospital is not required to provide notice to the caregiver under § 23-17.27-4 or provide information contained in the patient’s discharge plan under § 23-17.27-5.
(4)
A patient, or the patient’s legal guardian, may elect to change the patient’s designated caregiver at any time, and the hospital must record this change in the patient’s medical record before the patient’s discharge.
(b)
A designation of a caregiver by a patient or patient’s legal guardian under this section does not obligate any individual to perform any after-care tasks for any patient.
(c)
This section shall not be construed to require a patient, or a patient’s legal guardian, to designate any individual as a caregiver as defined by this chapter.
(d)
In the event that the patient is a minor child, and the parents of the patient are divorced, the custodial parent shall have the authority to designate a caregiver. If the parents have joint custody of the patient, they shall jointly designate the caregiver.
History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 115, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.27 - Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act › Section 23-17.27-3. - Notice to designated caregiver.

§ 23-17.27-3. Notice to designated caregiver.
(a)
Any hospital licensed pursuant to this title shall notify the patient’s designated caregiver of the patient’s discharge or transfer to another facility licensed by the state as soon as possible, in any event, upon issuance of a discharge order by the patient’s attending physician or other healthcare professional. In the event the hospital is unable to contact the designated caregiver, the lack of contact shall not interfere with, delay, or otherwise affect the medical care provided to the patient or an appropriate discharge of the patient. The hospital shall promptly document the attempt in the patient’s medical record.
History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 115, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.27 - Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act › Section 23-17.27-5. - Non-interference with powers of existing healthcare directives.

§ 23-17.27-5. Non-interference with powers of existing healthcare directives.
(a)
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with the rights of an agent operating under a valid healthcare directive pursuant to chapter 4.10 of title 23 (health care power of attorney), or § 23-4.11-3.1 (medical orders for life sustaining treatment).
(b)
A patient may designate a caregiver in an advance directive.
History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 115, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.27 - Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act › Section 23-17.27-6. - Caregiver reimbursement.

§ 23-17.27-6. Caregiver reimbursement.
(a)
A caregiver shall not be reimbursed by any government or commercial payer for after-care assistance that is provided pursuant to this chapter, with the sole exception that this chapter shall not supersede the applicability of wage replacement benefits paid to workers under Rhode Island’s temporary disability insurance program, pursuant to § 28-41-35.
(b)
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to impact, impede, or otherwise disrupt or reduce the reimbursement obligations of an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, health maintenance organization, or any other entity issuing health benefits plans.
History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 115, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.27 - Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act › Section 23-17.27-7. - Limitations of actions.

§ 23-17.27-7. Limitations of actions.
(a)
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to create a private right of action against a hospital or any of its directors, trustees, officers, employees, or agents, or any contractors with whom the hospital has a contractual relationship.
(b)
A hospital, a hospital employee, or any consultants or contractors with whom a hospital has a contractual relationship, shall not be held liable, in any way, for the services rendered or not rendered by the caregiver to the patient at the patient’s residence.
History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 115, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.27 - Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act › Section 23-17.27-8. - Severability.

§ 23-17.27-8. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, the invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
History of Section.
P.L. 2015, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 115, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.28 - Hospital Workplace Violence Protection Act › Section 23-17.28-1. - Short title.

§ 23-17.28-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Hospital Workplace Violence Protection Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2021, ch. 330, § 1, effective January 15, 2022; P.L. 2021, ch. 331, § 1, effective January 15, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.28 - Hospital Workplace Violence Protection Act › Section 23-17.28-2. - Definitions.

§ 23-17.28-2. Definitions.
When used in this chapter:
(1)
“Director” means the director of the Rhode Island department of health.
(2)
“Hospital” means any institutional health service provider, facility, or institution, place, building, agency, or portion thereof, whether a partnership or corporation, whether public or private, whether organized for profit or not, used, operated, or engaged in providing healthcare services.
(3)
“Workplace violence” means any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs at a hospital, except for a lawful act of self-defense or defense of another. The term includes, without limitation, the use or threatened use of physical force against an employee or other provider of care, regardless of whether the employee or other provider of care is physically or psychologically injured.
History of Section.
P.L. 2021, ch. 330, § 1, effective January 15, 2022; P.L. 2021, ch. 331, § 1, effective January 15, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.28 - Hospital Workplace Violence Protection Act › Section 23-17.28-3. - Notification of incident.

§ 23-17.28-3. Notification of incident.
(a)
Any hospital employee may notify their employer of any violation of law, regulation, or standard pertaining to safety and health in the place of employment, at any time an employee learns of a violation.
(b)
Any employee or representative of the employee may complain to the director, or any authorized representative of the director, regarding any violation of law, regulation, or standard pertaining to safety and health in their place of employment, regardless of whether or not the employee has also notified or notifies their employer.
(c)
Upon receipt of an employee complaint, the director shall notify the hospital, adhering to confidentiality requests pursuant to subsection (d), and make inquiries, inspections, and investigations that the director considers reasonable and appropriate. When an employee or representative of the employee has complained in writing of an alleged violation and the director, after investigation, determines that no action will or should be taken against the employer, the director shall furnish to the employee or representative of the employee, upon written request, a statement of the reasons for the decision.
(d)
The director shall establish procedures for keeping confidential the identity of any employee who requests protection of their identity in writing. When a request for confidentiality has been made, neither a written complaint from an employee, or representative of the employee, nor any memorandum, report, or any other writing containing the identity of a complainant may be disclosed.
History of Section.
P.L. 2021, ch. 330, § 1, effective January 15, 2022; P.L. 2021, ch. 331, § 1, effective January 15, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.28 - Hospital Workplace Violence Protection Act › Section 23-17.28-4. - Retaliation prohibited.

§ 23-17.28-4. Retaliation prohibited.
It is an unlawful employment practice for any person to bar or discharge from employment or otherwise discriminate against any employee or prospective employee because the employee or prospective employee has:
(1)
Made any complaint or instituted, or caused to be instituted, any proceeding under or related to this chapter, or has testified, or is about to testify, in any such proceeding; or
(2)
In good faith reported an assault that occurred on the premises of a hospital.
History of Section.
P.L. 2021, ch. 330, § 1, effective January 15, 2022; P.L. 2021, ch. 331, § 1, effective January 15, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-17.28 - Hospital Workplace Violence Protection Act › Section 23-17.28-6. - Retention of records.

§ 23-17.28-6. Retention of records.
(a)
A hospital shall maintain a record of assaults committed against employees that occur on the premises of the hospital. The record shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
(1)
The name of the hospital and address of the premises on which each assault occurred;
(2)
The date, time, and specific location where the assault occurred;
(3)
The name, job title, and department or unit assignment of the employee who was assaulted;
(4)
A physical description and identity, if known, of the person who committed the assault, and whether the assailant was a patient, visitor, employee, or other category;
(5)
A description of the assaultive behavior as:
(i)
An assault with mild soreness, surface abrasions, scratches, or small bruises;
(ii)
An assault with major soreness, cuts, or large bruises;
(iii)
An assault with severe lacerations, a bone fracture, or a head injury; or
(iv)
An assault with loss of limb or death;
(6)
A description of the physical injury;
(7)
A description of any weapon used;
(8)
The number of employees and witnesses in the immediate area of the assault when it occurred; and
(9)
A description of actions taken by the employees and the hospital in response to the assault.
(b)
A hospital shall maintain the records generated as a result of compliance with subsection (a) for no fewer than five (5) years following any reported incident.
(c)
Upon the request of an employee directly involved in a reported incident, the hospital shall generate and make available to the requesting employee a full report including the information in the record required under subsection (a).
(d)
Upon the request of an employee representative or of a workplace safety committee conducting a review, the hospital shall generate and make available to the requesting party a full report including:
(1)
The information in the record required under subsection (a) excluding the name of the reporting employee; and
(2)
Information regarding work-related injuries and illnesses recorded by the hospital to comply with applicable federal health and safety recordkeeping requirements.
(e)
The director shall adopt by rule a common recording form for the purposes of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 2021, ch. 330, § 1, effective January 15, 2022; P.L. 2021, ch. 331, § 1, effective January 15, 2022.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18 - Cemeteries › Section 23-18-1. - Definitions.

§ 23-18-1. Definitions.
The following terms used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the following meanings:
(1)
“Agencies” mean town cemeteries, religious or ecclesiastical society cemeteries, cemetery associations, or any person, firm, corporation, or unincorporated association previously or hereafter engaged in the business of conducting a cemetery or operating a community mausoleum or columbarium.
(2)
“Columbarium” means a structure or room, or other space in a building or structure of durable or lasting fireproof construction, containing niches, used, or intended to be used, to contain cremated human remains.
(3)
“Community mausoleum” means a structure or building of durable or lasting construction, used or intended to be used, for the permanent disposition in crypts or spaces therein of the remains of deceased persons, provided the crypts or spaces and their use are available to or may be obtained by individuals for a price in money or other form of security.
(4)
“Crypt” means the chamber in a mausoleum of sufficient size to contain the remains of a deceased person.
(5)
“Historic cemetery” means any tract of land which has been for more than one hundred (100) years used as a burial place, whether or not marked with an historic marker, including but not limited to, ancient burial places known or suspected to contain the remains of one or more American Indians.
(6)
“Niche” means a recess in a columbarium or other structure, used, or intended to be used, for the permanent disposition of the cremated remains of one or more deceased persons.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 721, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-18-1; P.L. 1992, ch. 478, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18 - Cemeteries › Section 23-18-2. - Location of mausoleums and columbaria.

§ 23-18-2. Location of mausoleums and columbaria.
Every community mausoleum, other than structures containing crypts erected or controlled by churches and religious societies, and every columbarium, or other similar structure intended to hold or contain the bodies or remains of the dead, the spaces, crypts, or niches of which are available to the public, shall be located only within the confines of an established cemetery.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 721, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 23-18-2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18 - Cemeteries › Section 23-18-2.1. - Cremated human remains.

§ 23-18-2.1. Cremated human remains.
(a)
If a cemetery has rules or regulations in effect regarding the disposition of cremated human remains on or in cemetery property, those rules and regulations, if not contrary to law, shall be binding on all interested parties.
(b)
The scattering of cremated human remains within a cemetery shall be prohibited except within a specific area designated for that purpose. Violation of this subsection shall be punishable by a fine of not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500).
(c)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a cemetery to authorize the scattering of ashes when that practice is contrary to the religious beliefs associated with the cemetery.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 349, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18 - Cemeteries › Section 23-18-3. - Approval of construction plans — Supervisory control.

§ 23-18-3. Approval of construction plans — Supervisory control.
Before commencing the building, construction, or erection of any community mausoleum or columbarium, the agency constructing the structure shall make and file plans and specifications of the structure with the city or town clerk of the city or town where the structure is to be erected, and secure the approval of the city or town to erect the community mausoleum or columbarium. Before the approval shall be granted, the city or town wherein the structure is located shall satisfy itself that the proposed new structure or any alterations or additions to an old structure for that purpose, shall be built in accordance with the standards set forth in ordinances adopted by the city or town wherein the structure is located under its supervision, and shall comply with any further requirements as to perpetual care and maintenance that shall then be or later prescribed by the city or town. The city or town wherein the structure is located shall have supervisory control over the construction of the structure and it shall be the duty of the cities and towns to adopt suitable ordinances concerning the structures.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 721, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 23-18-3; P.L. 1993, ch. 45, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 23 - Health and Safety › Chapter 23-18 - Cemeteries › Section 23-18-4. - Completion of structure and maintenance provisions required before interments.

§ 23-18-4. Completion of structure and maintenance provisions required before interments.
No structure shall be used for the purpose of depositing therein human remains until the structure is finally completed, nor until provision for maintenance of the structure has been provided in accordance with the requirements as provided by the city or town wherein the structure is located.
History of Section.
P.L. 1939, ch. 721, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 23-18-4; P.L. 1993, ch. 45, § 1.