AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- AUTOLOGOUS OR DIRECT BLOOD DONATIONS (Provides for autologous blood donations.)

H7815

2026 -- H 7815
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LC005565
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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 -- AUTOLOGOUS OR DIRECT BLOOD
DONATIONS

Introduced By:
Representatives Lima, and Hopkins

Date Introduced:
February 26, 2026

Referred To:
House Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. 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 4.15
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AUTOLOGOUS OR DIRECT BLOOD DONATIONS
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23-4.15-1. Autologous or direct blood donations -- Requirements.
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(a) For purposes of this section:
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(1) "Autologous blood donation" means when a person donates the person's own blood for
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personal use during a future medical procedure.
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(2) "Direct blood donation" means when a person donates the person's blood specifically
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for the use of another person during the other person's future medical procedure.
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(b) A hospital or other healthcare facility licensed under this title 23 shall allow a person
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on whom a medical procedure is to be performed at the facility to donate a healthcare
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provider‑ordered autologous or direct blood donation before the medical procedure if the facility
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performs blood donations.
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(c) A blood bank that facilitates autologous or direct blood donations shall comply with a
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healthcare provider's order prescribing an autologous or direct blood donation for a person, unless
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the person donating blood is in ill health, has a heart condition that makes donating blood
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inadvisable, the person weighs too little to donate blood, or the person cannot or should not donate

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blood for any other reason.
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(d) A blood bank may charge not more than their regular fee to facilitate an autologous or
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direct blood donation ordered by a healthcare provider under subsection (c) of this section. The
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blood bank may charge a fee to store the donated blood until it is used by the person meant to
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receive it.
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(e) The department of health shall promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to
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implement this section.
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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- AUTOLOGOUS OR DIRECT BLOOD
DONATIONS
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This act would provide for autologous blood donations.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005565
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