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.)

S3064

2026 -- S 3064
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LC005342
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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 EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Senators Sosnowski, Lauria, Lawson, Ciccone, Murray, DiMario, and
Paolino

Date Introduced:
March 12, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Health & Human Services
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
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(1) Rhode Island faces an ongoing and worsening projected shortage of physicians and
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healthcare professionals, particularly in primary care and underserved communities;
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(2) Establishing a medical school at the University of Rhode Island would strengthen the
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state's healthcare workforce pipeline, improve access to care, and support long-term economic
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development; and
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(3) An initial state investment is necessary to support leadership recruitment, faculty hiring,
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accreditation planning, and curriculum development for such medical school.
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SECTION 2. Chapter 16-32 of the General Laws entitled "University of Rhode Island [See
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Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding
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thereto the following section:
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16-32-43. University of Rhode Island medical school -- Establishment and funding.
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(a) For fiscal year 2027, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) is hereby appropriated
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from general revenues to the University of Rhode Island for the purpose of initiating the
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establishment of a medical school.
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(b) Funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be used for operating
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expenses and salaries related to, including, but not limited to:
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(1) Hiring a founding dean and senior leadership;
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(2) Recruitment of core faculty and administrative staff;

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(3) Accreditation preparation and compliance activities; and
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(4) Curriculum planning and institutional development.
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(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that the fiscal year 2027 appropriation represents
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the first phase of a multi-year state investment to support the development of a medical school at
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the University of Rhode Island.
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(d) Subject to future appropriations, the general assembly anticipates additional funding in
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the following amounts:
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(1) Fiscal year 2028: Seven million dollars ($7,000,000); and
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(2) Fiscal year 2029: Eight million dollars ($8,000,000).
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(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any future general assembly to
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appropriate such funds.
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(f) The University of Rhode Island shall submit a report to the governor and the general
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assembly no later than January 1, 2028, detailing:
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(1) The use of funds appropriated under this section;
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(2) Progress toward accreditation and institutional readiness;
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(3) Faculty and leadership hiring progress; and
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(4) A projected timeline and budget for subsequent phases of development.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
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This act would establish the framework to create a medical school at the University of
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Rhode Island and provide an initial appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) as the first
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phase of a multi-year investment for the development of a medical school.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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