Rhode Island House Bill H7815

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

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

Caption

Provides for autologous blood donations.

Impact

By allowing individuals to donate blood in advance of medical procedures, the bill aims to enhance patient autonomy and improve the supply of blood for surgeries. This is particularly relevant for patients who may require specific blood types or those with rare conditions. Additionally, the bill includes provisions regarding the charging of fees by blood banks for facilitating and storing these donations, which underscores the need for clarity in the financial aspects of blood donation practices.

Summary

House Bill H7815 establishes provisions for autologous and direct blood donations within the state of Rhode Island. The bill defines autologous blood donation as when an individual donates their own blood intended for use during a future medical procedure. Likewise, direct blood donation is defined as the donation of blood by an individual specifically for use by another person in a future medical procedure. The bill mandates that healthcare facilities licensed under Title 23 must allow individuals who are scheduled for medical procedures to make such donations if the facility is equipped to facilitate them.

Contention

While the bill appears primarily beneficial, there may be points of contention regarding the regulations established by the Department of Health that will determine how these donations are managed and facilitated. Stakeholders may voice concern over the potential for increased healthcare costs associated with these procedures or argue about the regulations surrounding eligibility criteria for donations, especially how health conditions could limit access for potential donors. The need for thorough rules and regulations also raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of implementation in practice.