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S3199 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS (Provides a specific cause of action for violations of the rights of nursing home patients chapter.)

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS (Provides a specific cause of action for violations of the rights of nursing home patients chapter.)

Passed Legislature

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-16 Committee

    Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 2026-04-10 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/16/2026)

  3. 2026-04-03 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS (Provides a specific cause of action for violations of the rights of nursing home patients chapter.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S3199

2026 -- S 3199
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LC005214
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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 -- RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS

Introduced By:
Senators Dimitri, LaMountain, Famiglietti, Patalano, and Thompson

Date Introduced:
April 03, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 23-17.5-21 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17.5 entitled "Rights
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of Nursing Home Patients" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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23-17.5-21.
Penalties.
Penalties -- Civil violation.
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(a)
Any nursing home which refuses or neglects to post provisions or which violates the
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requirements of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for each violation punishable by a
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fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) and/or six (6) months in jail.
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(b) Any person, including any estate, shall have a cause of action, independent and in
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addition to any other legal remedy available, against any nursing home in violation of this chapter.
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This cause of action to recover actual and punitive damages shall be brought in a court of competent
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jurisdiction, and any plaintiff who prevails in such action shall be entitled to recover reasonable
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attorneys' fees and costs of any action.
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(c) The department of health may maintain an action in the name of the state to enforce the
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provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005214
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS
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This act would provide a specific cause of action for violations of the rights of nursing
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home patients chapter.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005214
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