AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE LICENSING ACT (Requires annual inspections of those assisted living residences which contain units licensed to treat residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.)

S2571

2026 -- S 2571
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LC004794
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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 -- ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE LICENSING
ACT

Introduced By:
Senators Lauria, Ujifusa, Felag, Valverde, Murray, DiMario, Mack, Urso,
Kallman, and Thompson

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 23-17.4-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17.4 entitled "Assisted
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Living Residence Licensing Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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23-17.4-10. Regulations, inspections, and investigations.
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(a) The licensing agency shall after public hearing pursuant to reasonable notice, adopt,
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amend, promulgate, and enforce any rules, regulations, and standards with respect to assisted-living
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residences for adults licensed under this chapter as may be designed to further the accomplishment
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of the purposes of this chapter in promoting safe and adequate living environments for individuals
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in assisted-living residences in the interest of public safety and welfare. These regulations may
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provide for the establishment of levels of service provided by the residence.
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(b) The licensing agency shall make or cause to be made any inspections and investigations
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that it deems necessary by duly authorized agents of the director at any time and frequency
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determined by the licensing agency. The licensing agency shall establish regulations to determine
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the frequency of inspections that shall include, but not be limited to, the residence’s past compliance
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with regulations, complaint investigations, quality of care issues and license type. However, the
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licensing agency shall
:
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(1) On
,
on
a biennial basis, conduct an unannounced, on-site inspection of all licensed
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assisted-living residences
; and

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(2) On an annual basis, conduct an unannounced, on-site inspection of those assisted living

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residences that provide services to residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias by means
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of an Alzheimer's special care unit, in accordance with § 23-17.4-16.2 which inspection shall
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include the entire assisted living residence and not be limited to the Alzheimer's special care unit
.

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The licensing agency shall, on an annual basis, cause no less than ten percent (10%) of all
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assisted-living inspections to be conducted, in whole or in part, on nights and/or weekends.
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(c) Upon request of the licensing agency, health agencies and professionals may share
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resident health status information with the department of health for the purpose of determining each
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resident’s capability of self preservation.
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(d) Each assisted-living residence licensed under this chapter shall have a plan for
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preventing the hazards of residents wandering from the facility. This plan shall be submitted to the
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licensing agency in a format determined by the director.
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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 -- ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE LICENSING
ACT
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This act would require annual inspections of those assisted living residences which contain
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units licensed to treat residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004794
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