Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H8365

Introduced
3/27/26  

Caption

Authorizes the department of health to participate in international public-health collaboration networks.

Impact

The legislation amends Title 23 of the General Laws related to Health and Safety, specifically by adding a chapter on International Public Health Collaboration. Under this new chapter, the Department of Health is empowered to enter into agreements with various entities, including federal agencies and international organizations, to access shared expertise and technical assistance for better outbreak response. This act aligns Rhode Island with global standards for responding to public health emergencies, facilitating timely communication and data-sharing that could lead to rapid interventions during health crises.

Summary

House Bill H8365 seeks to enhance Rhode Island's capacity to respond to public health crises by authorizing the Department of Health to engage in international public health collaboration networks. This initiative comes in response to the acknowledgment that infectious disease outbreaks can quickly cross borders and impact state residents. The bill emphasizes the importance of early detection and coordinated responses facilitated through participation in international networks, thereby aiming to improve Rhode Island's public health preparedness and response capabilities.

Contention

One notable aspect of H8365 is the explicit assurance that participation in international health networks will not result in the transfer of regulatory authority from Rhode Island's government to any international body. This provision aims to alleviate concerns among stakeholders worried about sovereignty and local governance. The bill also establishes guidelines for the protection of personal health information in compliance with existing federal and state privacy laws, ensuring that individual rights remain safeguarded even when engaging in global health collaborations.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0305

Establishes the right of a medical practitioner, healthcare institution, or healthcare payer not to participate in or pay for any medical procedure or service this violates their conscience.

RI H5619

Requires the department of health to incorporate information about dementia risk factors and reduction into public education and healthcare provider education materials.

RI S0481

Requires the department of health to incorporate information about dementia risk factors and reduction into public education and healthcare provider education materials.

RI S0463

Requires each healthcare entity/network plan to compile/report to health insurance commissioner a summary of how the healthcare entity/network plan requires its contracted providers to submit claims for in-network outpatient behavioral health services.

RI H5863

Requires each healthcare entity/network plan to compile/report to health insurance commissioner a summary of how the healthcare entity/network plan requires its contracted providers to submit claims for in-network outpatient behavioral health services.

RI S0683

Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements to allow non-physician healthcare providers to enter into such agreements.

RI H5852

Expands the existing law regarding collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to allow other healthcare providers to enter into such agreements and removes the definition of “collaborative practice committee.”

RI H6128

Establishes a core state behavioral health crisis services system, to be administered by the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.

RI S0474

Establishes a rare disease advisory council within the department of health to provide guidance and recommendations to educate healthcare providers and the citizens of the state.

RI S0567

Requires healthcare facilities that perform abortions meet the license requirements of similar healthcare facilities and allows the department of health to conduct unannounced inspections.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.