S3191 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE (Provides that for purposes of all civil actions, the fair and reasonable charge for certain medical and dental services is the amount billed by the licensed healthcare provider.)

Healthcare

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Famiglietti, McKenney, Patalano, LaMountain, Dimitri, Bissaillon
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE (Provides that for purposes of all civil actions, the fair and reasonable charge for certain medical and dental services is the amount billed by the licensed healthcare provider.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE (Provides that for purposes of all civil actions, the fair and reasonable charge for certain medical and dental services is the amount billed by the licensed healthcare provider.)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-04-16 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-04-10 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/16/2026)
2026-04-03 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE (Provides that for purposes of all civil actions, the fair and reasonable charge for certain medical and dental services is the amount billed by the licensed healthcare provider.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S3191

2026 -- S 3191
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LC005215
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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 COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY --
EVIDENCE

Introduced By:
Senators Famiglietti, McKenney, Patalano, LaMountain, Dimitri, and
Bissaillon

Date Introduced:
April 03, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 9-19 of the General Laws entitled "Evidence" is hereby amended by
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adding thereto the following section:
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9-19-45. Fair and reasonable charge for medical and healthcare services in all civil
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actions.

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In all civil actions now or hereafter pending in any court, agency, arbitration forum, or
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other tribunal based upon a cause of action for injury or for wrongful death, including causes of
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action based upon medical, dental, or professional malpractice, the fair and reasonable charge for
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medical, hospital, therapeutic, and other healthcare services shall be the amount billed by the
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licensed healthcare provider. The amount paid to the licensed healthcare provider by any health,
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accident or disability insurer, any state or federal health insurance or disability program, any
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medical payments or personal injury protection insurance, or any workers' compensation benefits,
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and the acceptance thereof by the licensed healthcare provider in full satisfaction of the amount
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billed, shall be inadmissible as evidence of the fair and reasonable charge for such services.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005215
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY --
EVIDENCE
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This act would provide that for purposes of all civil actions, the fair and reasonable charge
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for certain medical and dental services is the amount billed by the licensed healthcare provider.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005215
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