AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH COLLABORATION (Authorizes the department of health to participate in international public-health collaboration networks.)

H8365

2026 -- H 8365
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LC006207
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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 -- INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH
COLLABORATION

Introduced By:
Representatives Fogarty, Handy, Bennett, Donovan, Spears, Cotter,
Carson, Speakman, McGaw, and Craven

Date Introduced:
March 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1.
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Legislative findings.
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The general assembly finds that:
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(1) Infectious disease outbreak occurring anywhere in the world may rapidly impact the
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health and safety of residents of Rhode Island.
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(2) Early detection and coordinated response are essential to preventing the spread of
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emerging infectious diseases.
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(3) International public health collaboration networks facilitate rapid communication,
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surveillance, and deployment of expertise during outbreaks.
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(4) Participation by the state in such networks can enhance preparedness, training, and
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global surveillance capacity.
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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 106
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INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH COLLABORATION
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23-106-1. Definitions.

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As used in this chapter:
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(1) “Department” means the Rhode Island department of health.

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(2) “Global outbreak response network” means an international collaboration of public
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health institutions coordinated by the World Health Organization or similar international public
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health authority for the purpose of disease surveillance and outbreak response.
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(3) “Public health collaboration agreement” means an agreement between the department
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and a national or international public health entity to share expertise, training, surveillance
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information, or technical assistance related to infectious disease response.
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23-106-2. Authority of the department.

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The department is authorized to:
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(1) Participate in international public-health collaboration network including, but not
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limited, to the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (“GOARN”).
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(2) Enter into public-health collaboration agreements with federal agencies, international
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organizations, academic institutions, and public-health authorities.
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(3) Designate a state public-health office, department of health laboratory, or program as
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the institutional partner representing the state in such networks.
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(4) Participate in training programs, data-sharing initiatives, and technical assistance
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programs related to outbreak detection and response.
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(5) Provide voluntary deployment of qualified public-health personnel where possible to
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assist in outbreak investigations or response efforts coordinated through such networks.
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23-106-3. Privacy and legal protections.

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Participation authorized under this chapter shall:
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(1) Comply with all applicable federal and state privacy laws.
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(2) Protect individually identifiable health information consistent with the Health Insurance
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Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and state public health confidentiality
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statutes.
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(3) Not transfer regulatory or policymaking authority of the state to any international
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organization.
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23-106-4. Coordination with federal authorities.

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The department shall coordinate participation in international public-health collaboration
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networks with relevant agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when
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appropriate.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC006207
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH
COLLABORATION
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This act would authorize the department of health to participate in international public-
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health collaboration networks.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC006207
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