Rhode Island House Bill H7740

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 2/12/26

Caption

Details each of those limited emergency circumstances where a registered nurse and advanced practice registered nurses, may safely administer sedation, such as critical life-saving or emergency situations where there is an imminent threat to life or limb.

Impact

The implications of H7740 are significant for state laws related to nursing and medical practices. By specifically stating that RNs and non-CRNA APRNs cannot administer general anesthetics for various procedures, the bill aims to enhance patient safety by ensuring such tasks are completed by trained and certified professionals. This bill would amend existing statutes in Chapter 5-34.2 of the General Laws, establishing a stricter framework for sedation and anesthesia administration in a hospital setting.

Summary

House Bill H7740 focuses on defining the administration of anesthetics by registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The bill establishes restrictions that determine when these practitioners can administer medications generally classified as general anesthetics. These provisions aim to restrict such practices to certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) with certain exceptions for emergency scenarios where immediate action is necessary to preserve life or limb.

Contention

The bill has been a topic of contention among healthcare professions. Supporters argue that the legislation is essential to guarantee that only qualified individuals administer anesthetics, thereby minimizing risks to patients in critical care situations. Opponents, however, may perceive this as a limitation of RNs' and APRNs' roles and their ability to respond effectively in emergency situations. There may be concerns that these restrictions could lead to delays in care delivery which could adversely affect patient outcomes in critical care scenarios.