AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (Provides that services provided by graduate student interns who work under a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.)

H7795

2026 -- H 7795
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LC005177
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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 HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Introduced By:
Representatives Fogarty, Donovan, McEntee, Shanley, Handy, Shallcross
Smith, Kazarian, Carson, McGaw, and Speakman

Date Introduced:
February 12, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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40-8-33. Graduate student services covered.

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Notwithstanding any general law, public law, special law, rule or regulation to the contrary,
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Medicaid reimbursement shall be provided under this chapter for services provided by a graduate
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student intern in one of the mental health professional disciplines who is formally assigned by an
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accredited college/university to an agency or facility for clinical training. The graduate student
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intern shall be allowed to receive compensation from these reimbursed hours and the supervising
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organization is allowed to retain a portion of the compensation to cover expenses related to
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supervisory work. A mental health practitioner working as a clinical trainee shall:
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(1) Comply with requirements for licensure or board certification as a mental health
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professional including supervised practice in the delivery of mental health services for the treatment
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of mental illness; or
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(2) Be a graduate student in a bona fide field placement or internship under a program
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leading to completion of the requirements for licensure as a mental health professional.

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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
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This act would provide that services provided by graduate student interns who work under
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a supervisory protocol would be eligible to be paid from Medicaid reimbursement.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005177
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LC005177 - Page 3 of 3