H 8568

2026 -- H 8568
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LC006469
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  STATE  OF        RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  AN ACT
  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:
1SECTION 1. Section 23-1.7-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1.7 entitled "Rhode
2 Island Program to Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended to read as follows:
323-1.7-6. Healthcare facility plan.
4(a) Every healthcare facility as defined in § 23-17-2 The following healthcare facilities
5 shall, not later than October 1, 2023 December 31, 2027, complete and implement an operational
6 plan for the recognition and management of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related
7 disorders.:
8(1) Nursing facilities;
9(2) Hospitals serving adult populations, excluding hospitals that exclusively serve pediatric
10 patients; provided, however, that Bradley Hospital shall be exempt from the requirements of this
11 section;
12(3) Home care and home nursing care providers;
13(4) Organized ambulatory care settings that provide services to adults; provided, however,
14 that medical marijuana centers, CODAC facilities, and sleep centers shall be exempt from the
15 requirements of this section;
16(5) Hospice care providers; and
17(6) Rehabilitation hospital centers.
18(b) The department of health shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the
1 operational plan requirements of subsection (a).
2(c) The director of the department of health, in consultation with the advisory council on
3 Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, shall determine which healthcare facilities defined in §
4 23-17-2 will be subject to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. The operational plan
5 required pursuant to this section shall include protocols for the following:
6(1) Identifying the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, including diseases and
7 conditions that cause dementia;
8(2) The management and treatment of residents or patients with neurocognitive disorders;
9(3) Environmental considerations designed to optimize physical space and promote patient
10 safety;
11(4) Transfers, referrals, and discharge planning to appropriate care settings;
12(5) Training of clinical and non-clinical staff; and
13(6) Advance care planning and resources for family members and caregivers.
14(d) The operational plan shall be reviewed annually by the healthcare facility to ensure that
15 appropriate updates are made.
16(e) The operational plan shall be maintained by the healthcare facility and made available
17 to the licensing agency upon request.
18SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
19
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  EXPLANATION
  BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
  OF
  AN ACT
  RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS
  ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
  ***
1This act would amend the current law on Alzheimer’s care by enacting a specific list of
2 protocols to be followed, more specifically:
3(1) Identifying the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, including those that cause
4 dementia;
5(2) The management and treatment of those with neurocognitive disorders;
6(3) Environmental considerations on physical space and patient safety;
7(4) Discharge planning to appropriate care settings;
8(5) Training of clinical and non-clinical staff; and
9(6) Advance care planning and resources for family members and caregivers.
10The act would also specify which healthcare facilities would be subject to this law and
11 would further provide that the operational plan be reviewed annually and maintained by the
12 healthcare facility and made available to the licensing agency upon request.
13This act would take effect on January 1, 2027
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