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H8568
2026 -- H 8568
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LC006469
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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 -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Introduced By:
Representatives Ackerman, McNamara, Donovan, Ajello, Carson,
Fellela, Azzinaro, Bennett, Edwards, and Diaz
Date Introduced:
May 20, 2026
Referred To:
House Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 23-1.7-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1.7 entitled "Rhode
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Island Program to Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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23-1.7-6. Healthcare facility plan.
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(a)
Every healthcare facility as defined in § 23-17-2
The following healthcare facilities
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shall, not later than
October 1, 2023
December 31, 2027
, complete and implement an operational
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plan for the recognition and management of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related
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disorders
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:
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(1) Nursing facilities;
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(2) Hospitals serving adult populations, excluding hospitals that exclusively serve pediatric
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patients; provided, however, that Bradley Hospital shall be exempt from the requirements of this
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section;
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(3) Home care and home nursing care providers;
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(4) Organized ambulatory care settings that provide services to adults; provided, however,
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that medical marijuana centers, CODAC facilities, and sleep centers shall be exempt from the
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requirements of this section;
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(5) Hospice care providers; and
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(6) Rehabilitation hospital centers.
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(b) The department of health shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the
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operational plan requirements of subsection (a).
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(c)
The director of the department of health, in consultation with the advisory council on
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Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, shall determine which healthcare facilities defined in §
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23-17-2 will be subject to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.
The operational plan
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required pursuant to this section shall include protocols for the following:
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(1) Identifying the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, including diseases and
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conditions that cause dementia;
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(2) The management and treatment of residents or patients with neurocognitive disorders;
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(3) Environmental considerations designed to optimize physical space and promote patient
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safety;
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(4) Transfers, referrals, and discharge planning to appropriate care settings;
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(5) Training of clinical and non-clinical staff; and
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(6) Advance care planning and resources for family members and caregivers.
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(d) The operational plan shall be reviewed annually by the healthcare facility to ensure that
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appropriate updates are made.
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(e) The operational plan shall be maintained by the healthcare facility and made available
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to the licensing agency upon request.
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SECTION 2. 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 -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
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This act would amend the current law on Alzheimer’s care by enacting a specific list of
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protocols to be followed, more specifically:
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(1) Identifying the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, including those that cause
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dementia;
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(2) The management and treatment of those with neurocognitive disorders;
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(3) Environmental considerations on physical space and patient safety;
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(4) Discharge planning to appropriate care settings;
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(5) Training of clinical and non-clinical staff; and
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(6) Advance care planning and resources for family members and caregivers.
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The act would also specify which healthcare facilities would be subject to this law and
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would further provide that the operational plan be reviewed annually and maintained by the
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healthcare facility and made available to the licensing agency upon request.
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This act would take effect on January 1, 2027
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