AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND (Establishes the framework to create a medical school at the University of Rhode Island and provides an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school.)

H8389

2026 -- H 8389
========
LC006231
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Fogarty, Carson, Tanzi, Caldwell, McEntee, Lima, Hull,
McGaw, Spears, and Dawson

Date Introduced:
April 01, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
2
(1) Rhode Island faces an ongoing and worsening projected shortage of physicians and
3
healthcare professionals, particularly in primary care and underserved communities;
4
(2) Establishing a medical school at the University of Rhode Island would strengthen the
5
state's healthcare workforce pipeline, improve access to care, and support long-term economic
6
development; and
7
(3) An initial state investment is necessary to support leadership recruitment, faculty hiring,
8
accreditation planning, and curriculum development for such medical school.
9
SECTION 2. Chapter 16-32 of the General Laws entitled "University of Rhode Island [See
10
Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding
11
thereto the following section:
12

16-32-43. University of Rhode Island medical school -- Establishment and funding.
13

(a) For fiscal year 2027, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated
14
from general revenues to the University of Rhode Island for the purpose of initiating the
15
establishment of a medical school.
16

(b) Funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be used for operating
17
expenses and salaries related to, including, but not limited to:
18

(1) Hiring a founding dean and senior leadership;
19

(2) Recruitment of core faculty and administrative staff;

1

(3) Accreditation preparation and compliance activities; and
2

(4) Curriculum planning and institutional development.
3

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that the fiscal year 2027 appropriation represents
4
the first phase of a multi-year state investment to support the development of a medical school at
5
the University of Rhode Island.
6

(d) Subject to future appropriations, the general assembly anticipates additional funding in
7
the following amounts:
8

(1) Fiscal year 2028: Seven million dollars ($7,000,000); and
9

(2) Fiscal year 2029: Eight million dollars ($8,000,000).
10

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any future general assembly to
11
appropriate such funds.
12

(f) The University of Rhode Island shall submit a report to the governor and the general
13
assembly no later than January 1, 2028, detailing:
14

(1) The use of funds appropriated under this section;
15

(2) Progress toward accreditation and institutional readiness;
16

(3) Faculty and leadership hiring progress; and
17

(4) A projected timeline and budget for subsequent phases of development.
18
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC006231
========

LC006231 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
***
1
This act would establish the framework to create a medical school at the University of
2
Rhode Island and provide an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first
3
phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school.
4
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC006231
========

LC006231 - Page 3 of 3