AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MANDATORY CARRYING OF EPINEPHRINE AUTOINJECTORS BY POLICE OFFICERS ACT (Requires all peace officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their vehicles or on their person police departments to budget sufficient funds to purchase the epinephrine and autoinjectors and for training of every peace officer.)

H7743

2026 -- H 7743
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MANDATORY CARRYING OF
EPINEPHRINE AUTOINJECTORS BY POLICE OFFICERS ACT

Introduced By:
Representatives Cotter, Kazarian, Potter, Tanzi, Carson, McGaw,
Speakman, and Donovan

Date Introduced:
February 12, 2026

Referred To:
House Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. The general assembly hereby finds and declares:
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(1) That a necessary course of action is needed to improve the safety of those in the State
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of Rhode Island.
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(2) While EMS employees, vehicles, and stations all carry epinephrine autoinjectors, police
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officers are more likely to respond to a scene first.
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(3) Saving time can save lives, and mandating police officers to carry epinephrine
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autoinjectors will greatly reduce the complications and fatalities from anaphylaxis.
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(4) Many allergens are unknown, whether by the patient or someone around them, and
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anaphylaxis can set in quickly depending on the severity of the allergy. The longer the patient’s
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throat is closed, the longer their body goes without receiving oxygen, which can lead to organ
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failure, brain damage, and even death. That means that the time spent waiting for EMS to arrive
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can mean the difference between full recovery and death.
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(5) Additionally, police officers are often patrolling the streets of Rhode Island, unlike
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EMS, and may notice or be drawn to an anaphylactic emergency in their district. Having no way to
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help the patient(s) other than calling for EMS is a dangerous risk to take. Having an epinephrine
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autoinjector available, as well as the skills necessary to administer it, is incredibly important when
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there is no time to be wasted.
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(6) It can be argued that police officers do not need more medical training than federally

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mandated, as that is what EMS is for, but in reality, the more people who have the knowledge,
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skills, and supplies to save lives, the better it is for everyone.
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SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 6.6
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THE MANDATORY CARRYING OF EPINEPHRINE AUTOINJECTORS BY POLICE
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OFFICERS ACT
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23-6.6-1. Short title.

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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The Mandatory Carrying of Epinephrine
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Autoinjectors by Police Officers Act.”
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23-6.6-2. Definitions.

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For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:
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(1) “Anaphylactic shock" or "Anaphylaxis” means the severe allergic reaction which
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causes, but is not limited to, swelling of the tongue/throat, trouble breathing, weak pulse, and
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potentially death.
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(2) “EMS” means all emergency medical services in Rhode Island.
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(3) “Epinephrine” means a hormone/medication which is used to regulate visceral
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functions and reduce/treat patients who are in anaphylactic shock.
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(4) “Epinephrine autoinjector” means the device used to administer a premeasured dose of
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epinephrine to treat one suffering from anaphylactic shock.
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(5) “Peace officer” means any state or municipal police officer serving in Rhode Island as
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defined in § 12-7-21.
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(6) “Police department” means any state or municipal department with jurisdiction within
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Rhode Island.
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(7) “Police station” means any building which is used to accommodate police officers and
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other members of police staff.
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(8) “Police vehicles” means any motor vehicle used by police officers.
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23-6.6-3. Duties and obligations of police officers and police departments.

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(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws that prohibit a peace officer
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from administering epinephrine, a controlled substance, or utilizing an epinephrine autoinjector:
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(1) All peace officers shall henceforth be authorized to administer epinephrine
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autoinjectors.
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(2) All peace officers shall carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their police vehicles.
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(3) If a peace officer does not have a police vehicle, they shall carry an epinephrine

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autoinjector on their person.
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(4) All peace officers shall attend biannual mandatory training on the use of epinephrine
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autoinjectors.
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(5) The cost of epinephrine autoinjectors and officer training shall be incorporated into the
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budget of each police department.
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(b)(1) Police departments shall purchase all epinephrine autoinjectors necessary to carry
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out the purposes of this chapter.
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(2) Police departments shall comply with the mandates of this chapter and beginning in the
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fiscal year 2027 each entity controlling or authorizing the budget of a police department shall fund
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the budget to effect compliance with the mandates of this chapter.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MANDATORY CARRYING OF
EPINEPHRINE AUTOINJECTORS BY POLICE OFFICERS ACT
***
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This act would require all peace officers to carry epinephrine autoinjectors in their vehicles
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or on their person and all police department budgets are required to be allocated sufficient funds to
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purchase the epinephrine autoinjectors and for training of every peace officer.
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This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.
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