Rhode Island HB 8568: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Bill Text

2026 -- H 8568
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LC006469
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, McNamara, Donovan, Ajello, Carson,
Fellela, Azzinaro, Bennett, Edwards, and Diaz
Date Introduced: May 20, 2026
Referred To: House Health & Human Services

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 23-1.7-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1.7 entitled "Rhode 1
Island Program to Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
23-1.7-6. Healthcare facility plan. 3
(a) Every healthcare facility as defined in § 23-17-2 The following healthcare facilities 4
shall, not later than October 1, 2023 December 31, 2027, complete and implement an operational 5
plan for the recognition and management of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related 6
disorders.: 7
(1) Nursing facilities; 8
(2) Hospitals serving adult populations, excluding hospitals that exclusively serve pediatric 9
patients; provided, however, that Bradley Hospital shall be exempt from the requirements of this 10
section; 11
(3) Home care and home nursing care providers; 12
(4) Organized ambulatory care settings that provide services to adults; provided, however, 13
that medical marijuana centers, CODAC facilities, and sleep centers shall be exempt from the 14
requirements of this section; 15
(5) Hospice care providers; and 16
(6) Rehabilitation hospital centers. 17
(b) The department of health shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the 18

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operational plan requirements of subsection (a). 1
(c) The director of the department of health, in consultation with the advisory council on 2
Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, shall determine which healthcare facilities defined in § 3
23-17-2 will be subject to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. The operational plan 4
required pursuant to this section shall include protocols for the following: 5
(1) Identifying the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, including diseases and 6
conditions that cause dementia; 7
(2) The management and treatment of residents or patients with neurocognitive disorders; 8
(3) Environmental considerations designed to optimize physical space and promote patient 9
safety; 10
(4) Transfers, referrals, and discharge planning to appropriate care settings; 11
(5) Training of clinical and non-clinical staff; and 12
(6) Advance care planning and resources for family members and caregivers. 13
(d) The operational plan shall be reviewed annually by the healthcare facility to ensure that 14
appropriate updates are made. 15
(e) The operational plan shall be maintained by the healthcare facility and made available 16
to the licensing agency upon request. 17
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027. 18
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
***
This act would amend the current law on Alzheimer’s care by enacting a specific list of 1
protocols to be followed, more specifically: 2
(1) Identifying the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, including those that cause 3
dementia; 4
(2) The management and treatment of those with neurocognitive disorders; 5
(3) Environmental considerations on physical space and patient safety; 6
(4) Discharge planning to appropriate care settings; 7
(5) Training of clinical and non-clinical staff; and 8
(6) Advance care planning and resources for family members and caregivers. 9
The act would also specify which healthcare facilities would be subject to this law and 10
would further provide that the operational plan be reviewed annually and maintained by the 11
healthcare facility and made available to the licensing agency upon request. 12
This act would take effect on January 1, 202713
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