Rhode Island HB 6393: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE LICENSING ACT

Bill Text

2025 -- H 6393
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LC003041
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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. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE LICENSING
ACT
Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Casey, Kislak, McEntee, Donovan, Speakman,
Boylan, Solomon, Diaz, and Giraldo
Date Introduced: June 06, 2025
Referred To: House Health & Human Services

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 23-17.4-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17.4 entitled "Assisted 1
Living Residence Licensing Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
23-17.4-16. Rights of residents. 3
(a) Every assisted living residence for adults licensed under this chapter shall observe the 4
following standards and any other appropriate standards as may be prescribed in rules and 5
regulations promulgated by the licensing agency with respect to each resident of the residence: 6
(1) Residents are entitled to all rights recognized by state and federal law with respect to 7
discrimination, service decisions (including the right to refuse services), freedom from abuse and 8
neglect, privacy, association, and other areas of fundamental rights including the right to freedom 9
of religious practice. Some of these basic rights include: 10
(i) To be offered services without discrimination as to sex, race, color, religion, national 11
origin, or source of payment; 12
(ii) To be free from verbal, sexual, physical, emotional, and mental abuse, corporal 13
punishment, and involuntary seclusion; 14
(iii) To be free from physical or chemical restraints for the purpose of discipline or 15
convenience and not required to treat the resident’s medical symptoms. No chemical or physical 16
restraints will be used except on order of a physician; 17
(iv) To have their medical information protected by applicable state confidentiality laws; 18

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(v) To have a service animal, consistent with the “reasonable accommodations” clause of 1
the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq. (such as a seeing eye dog); and 2
(2) In addition to these basic rights enjoyed by other adults, the residents of assisted living 3
also have the right to: 4
(i) Be treated as individuals and with dignity, and be assured choice and privacy and the 5
opportunity to act autonomously; 6
(ii) Upon request have access to all records pertaining to the resident, including clinical 7
records, within the next business day or immediately in emergency situations; 8
(iii) Arrange for services not available through the setting at their own expense as long as 9
the resident remains in compliance with the resident contract and applicable state law and 10
regulations; 11
(iv) Upon admission and during the resident’s stay be fully informed in a language the 12
resident understands of all resident rights and rules governing resident conduct and responsibilities. 13
Each resident shall: 14
(A) Receive a copy of their rights; 15
(B) Acknowledge receipt in writing; and 16
(C) Be informed promptly of any changes; 17
(v) Remain in their room or apartment unless a change in room or apartment is related to 18
resident preference or to transfer conditions stipulated in their contract; 19
(vi) Consistent with the terms of the resident contract, furnish their own rooms and 20
maintain personal clothing and possessions as space permits, consistent with applicable life safety, 21
fire, or similar laws, regulations, and ordinances; 22
(vii) Be encouraged and assisted to exercise rights as a citizen; to voice grievances through 23
a documented grievance mechanism and suggest changes in policies and services to either staff or 24
outside representatives without fear of restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal; 25
(viii) Have visitors of their choice without restrictions so long as those visitors do not pose 26
a health or safety risk to other residents, staff, or visitors, or a risk to property, and comply with 27
reasonable hours and security procedures; 28
(ix) Have personal privacy in their medical treatment, written communications and 29
telephone communications, and, to the fullest extent possible, in accommodation, personal care, 30
visits, and meetings; 31
(x) Have prominently displayed a posting of the facility’s grievance procedure, the names, 32
addresses, and telephone numbers of all pertinent resident advocacy groups, the state 33
ombudsperson, and the state licensing agency; 34

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(xi) Choose his or her own physician(s) and have ready access to the name, specialty, and 1
way of contacting the physician(s) responsible for the resident’s care; 2
(xii) Have the residence record and periodically update the address and telephone number 3
of the resident’s legal representative or responsible party; 4
(xiii) Manage his or her financial affairs. The residence may not require residents to deposit 5
their personal funds with the residence. Upon written authorization