Some Health Bills That Passed – Or Died – During this Legislative Session:

PASSED:

H-7715A/S-2279 a drug homicide bill, known as Kristen’s Law, creates a new criminal penalty of up to life in prison for drug dealers in cases of fatal overdoses.

H- 8132/S-2896 to legalize the possession and distribution of test strips to detect fentanyl laced in heroin and other illicit drugs

H-8313 /S-2930  – to require the health director by September 1st to develop a set of “best practices” for co-prescribing opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose, along with opioids.

H-8333, SUB A – to allows police and medical personnel to provide naloxone with instructions to an individual or family member who has been prescribed opioids.

S- 2531/H- 7193 to allow pregnant minors to consent for medical, dental, health and hospital services relating to prenatal, delivery, and post-delivery care.

FAILED:

S 2545  SUB A – to ensure insurance coverage for emergency admissions or inpatient services for people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

S- 2546  SUB A – to create a program of financial incentives for hospitals and emergency facilities to become state certified in discharge planning.

S- 2785  SUB A– to authorize the state to seek a waiver of the Affordable Care Act requirements to allow qualified small business and sole proprietors to purchase coverage in the small group market.

Hospital operators seeking permission take over health care facilities in Rhode Island also would be required to testify under oath to state regulators under legislation headed to Governor Gina Ramondo for her signature. Read more here.