law24261

Chapter 261

2024 -- S 2262 SUBSTITUTE B
Enacted 06/25/2024

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE PROVIDER SHIELD ACT

Introduced By: Senators Euer, Mack, Pearson, DiMario, Miller, Sosnowski, DiPalma, McKenney, Murray, and F. Lombardi

Date Introduced: February 08, 2024

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Healthcare Provider Shield

Act.”

SECTION 2. Findings of fact.

The general assembly finds and therefore declares that:

(1) Access to gender-affirming health care healthcare services as defined by § 23-100101-

2 and access to reproductive health care healthcare services as defined by § 23-100101-2, as

authorized under the laws of this state, is a legal right.

(2) Interference with legally protected health care healthcare activity, as defined by § 23-

100101-2, or the aiding and assisting of legally protected health care healthcare activity, as defined

by § 23-100101-2, whether or not under the color of law, is against the public policy of this state.

(3) Any public act of another state that prohibits, criminalizes, sanctions, or authorizes a

person to bring a civil action against or otherwise interferes with a person, provider, payer, or other

entity in this state that engages in legally protected health care healthcare activity or aids and

assists legally protected health care healthcare activity shall be an interference with the exercise

and enjoyment of the rights secured by this state and is against the public policy of this state.

SECTION 3. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 100101

HEALTHCARE PROVIDER SHIELD

23-100101-1. Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Healthcare Provider Shield."

23-100101-2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the followings words shall have the following meanings unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

(12) "Aid and assist legally protected health care healthcare activity" and "aiding and

assisting legally protected health care healthcare activity" mean:

(i) Any act or omission of a person aiding or effectuating or attempting to aid or effectuate

any other person in legally protected health care healthcare activity; or

(ii) The provision or administration of, or attempted provision or administration of,

insurance coverage for gender-affirming health care healthcare services or reproductive health

care healthcare services to a beneficiary or a dependent of a beneficiary by any insurer, payor, or

employer.

(iii) "Aiding and assisting legally protected health care healthcare activity" does not

include any conduct that violates Rhode Island law or deviates from the applicable standard of care

or that could form the basis of a civil, criminal, or administrative action under the laws of this state

had the course of conduct that forms the basis for liability occurred entirely within this state.

(21) "Aggrieved person" means:

(i) A person against whom hostile litigation is filed or prosecuted or the legal representative

of a person against whom hostile litigation is filed or prosecuted; or

(ii) The employer of a person against whom hostile litigation is filed or prosecuted if the

legally protected health care healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected health

care healthcare activity of the person that forms the basis of the hostile litigation was performed

within the scope of the person's employment.

(3) "Foreign judgment" means any judgment or decree of a court of another state.

(4) "Gender-affirming health care healthcare services" means all supplies, care and

services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic,

diagnostic, preventive, rehabilitative, or supportive nature, including medication, relating to the

treatment of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence in accordance with the accepted standard

of care as defined by major medical professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the

field of gender-affirming health care, including the Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender

and Gender Diverse People, Version 8, or subsequent version, published by the World Professional

Association for Transgender Health. "Gender-affirming health care healthcare services" does not

include conversion therapy as defined by §23-94-2.

(5) “Health care Healthcare provider” means and shall apply to the following:

(i) A qualified physician licensed pursuant to chapters 37 and 37.3 of title 5;

(ii) A qualified osteopathic physician licensed pursuant to chapter 37 of title 5;

(iii) A qualified physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 54 of title 5;

(iv) A genetic counselor licensed pursuant to chapter 92 of title 5;

(v) A qualified psychologist licensed pursuant to chapter 44 of title 5;

(vi) A qualified social worker licensed pursuant to chapter 39.1 of title 5;

(vii) An advanced practice registered nurse, and a certified nurse practitioner, licensed

pursuant to chapter 34 of title 5, and a certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed pursuant to

chapters 34 and 34.2 of title 5;

(viii) A certified nurse midwife licensed pursuant to chapter 13 of this title 23;

(ix) A licensed clinical mental health counselor or associate, and a licensed marriage and

family therapist or associate, licensed pursuant to chapter 63.2 of title 5;

(x) An electrologist licensed pursuant to chapter 32 of title 5;

(xi) A speech-language pathologist licensed pursuant to chapter 48 of title 5;

(xii) An occupational therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 40.1 of title 5;

(xiii) A chiropractic physician licensed pursuant to chapter 30 of title 5; and

(xiv) A pharmacist engaging in the practice of pharmacy and licensed pursuant to chapter

19.1 of title 5.

(6) “Hostile litigation" means any litigation or other legal action, including civil, criminal,

or administrative action, to deter, prevent, sanction, or punish any person engaging in legally

protected health care healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected health care

healthcare activity by:

(i) Filing or prosecuting any litigation or other legal action in any other state where liability

is based on legally protected health care healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally

protected health care healthcare activity that occurred in this state, including any action in which

liability is based on any theory of vicarious, joint, or several liability; or

(ii) Attempting to enforce any order or judgment issued in connection with any litigation

or other legal action under subsection (6)(i) of this section by any party to the action or by any

person acting on behalf of any party to the action.

(iii) For purposes of this chapter, litigation or other legal action is based on legally protected

health care healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected health care healthcare

activity that occurred in this state if any part of any act or omission involved in the course of conduct

that forms the basis for liability in the action occurs or is initiated in this state, whether or not the

act or omission is alleged or included in any pleading or other filing in the lawsuit.

(7) "Law enforcement agency" means any police department in any city or town or the state

police as defined in the general laws. For purposes of this act, a law enforcement agency may

include any other non-federal entity in the state charged with the enforcement of laws relating to

the custody of detained persons.

(8) "Legally protected health care healthcare activity" means:

(i) The exercise and enjoyment or attempted exercise and enjoyment by any person of the

right secured by this state to gender-affirming health care healthcare services or reproductive

health care healthcare services; and

(ii) The provision or attempted provision of gender-affirming health care healthcare

services or reproductive health care healthcare services that are permitted under the laws and

regulations of this state and that are provided in accordance with the applicable standard of care by

a person properly licensed under the laws of this state and physically present in this state, regardless

of whether the patient is located in this state or whether the person is licensed in the state where the

patient is located at the time the services are rendered.

(iii) “Legally protected health care healthcare activity" does not include any conduct that

could form the basis of a civil, criminal, or administrative action under the laws of this state had

the course of conduct that forms the basis for liability occurred entirely within this state and/or in

violation of Rhode Island law.

(9) "Reproductive health care healthcare services" means all supplies, care, and services

of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic,

preventive, rehabilitative, or supportive nature, including medication, relating to pregnancy,

contraception, assisted reproduction, pregnancy loss management, or the termination of a

pregnancy in accordance with the applicable standard of care as defined by major medical

professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the field of reproductive health care.

(10) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the

United States Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the

United States. The term “this state” refers to the state of Rhode Island.

23-100101-3. Tortious interference with legally protected health care healthcare

activity.

(a) If a person, whether or not acting under color of law, engages or attempts to engage in

hostile litigation, any aggrieved person may initiate a civil action against that person for injunctive,

monetary, or other appropriate relief within three (3) years after the cause of action accrues.

(b) If the court finds for the aggrieved person/petitioner in an action authorized by this

section, recovery may include damages for the amount of any judgment issued in connection with

any hostile litigation, and any and all other expenses, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred

in connection with the hostile litigation and with the tortious interference action.

this section if:

(1) Personal jurisdiction is found;

(2) The person who engages or attempts to engage in hostile litigation has commenced any

action in any court in this state and, during the pendency of that action or any appeal therefrom, a

summons and complaint is served on the person, authorized representative, or the attorney

appearing on the person’s behalf in that action or as otherwise permitted by law; or

(3) The exercise of jurisdiction is permitted under the Constitution of the United States.

23-100101-4. Foreign judgments issued in connection with hostile litigation.

(a) Jurisdiction and due process required. A court of this state may not give any force or

effect to any foreign judgment in connection with hostile litigation if the court that issued the

foreign judgment did not:

(1) Have personal jurisdiction over the defendant;

(2) Have jurisdiction over the subject matter; or

(3) Provide due process of law.

(b) Limitations period. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an action on

a foreign judgment in connection with hostile litigation must be commenced by filing a new and

independent action on the judgment within five (5) years of the foreign judgment.

23-100101-5. Testimony, documents, and subpoenas.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter or court rule to the contrary, except

as required by federal law, a court may not order a person who is domiciled or found within this

state to give testimony or a statement or produce documents or other things with any proceeding in

a tribunal outside this state concerning hostile litigation.

(b) Any person in this state upon whom a subpoena seeking information concerning legally

protected healthcare activity is served by any state or federal court in connection with hostile

litigation, may move to modify or quash such subpoena on any grounds provided by court rule,

statute, or on the grounds that the subpoena is inconsistent with the public policy as set out in this

act.

where prosecution is pending concerning legally protected health care healthcare activity, or

aiding and assisting legally protected healthcare activity, or where a grand jury investigation

concerning legally protected healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected healthcare

activity has commenced or is about to commence for a criminal violation of a law of such other

state unless the acts forming the basis of the prosecution or investigation would also constitute an

offense if occurring entirely in this state.

(d) A judge, clerk, or official may not issue a subpoena if the subpoena is sought to be

issued in connection with hostile litigation.

(e) A business entity that is incorporated, or has its principal place of business, in this state

may not:

(1) Knowingly provide records, information, facilities, or assistance in response to an out

of state subpoena, warrant, court order, or other civil or criminal legal process that the business

entity has reason to believe relates to an investigation into, or the enforcement of, another state’s

law that asserts criminal or civil liability for legally protected healthcare activity or aiding and

assisting legally protected healthcare; or

(2) Comply with an out-of-state subpoena, warrant, court order, or other civil or criminal

legal process for records, information, facilities, or assistance that the business entity has reason to

believe relates to legally protected healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected

healthcare.

(3) Any business entity described in subsection (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this section that is served

with a an out-of-state subpoena, warrant, court order, or other civil or criminal legal process

described in subsection (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this section is entitled to request an attestation, made

under penalty of perjury, stating that the subpoena, warrant, court order, or other civil or criminal

legal process does not seek documents, information, or testimony relating to an investigation into,

or the enforcement of, another state's law that asserts criminal or civil liability for legally protected

healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected healthcare activity, before providing

records, information, facilities, or assistance.

(f) Any false attestation submitted under this section is subject to a statutory penalty of ten

thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation. Submission of such attestation subjects the attester to the

jurisdiction of the courts of this state for any suit, penalty, or damages arising out of a false

attestation under this section. The business entity is entitled to rely on the representations made in

an attestation described in subsection (e)(3) of this section in determining whether the out of state

subpoena, warrant, court order, or other civil or criminal legal process relates to an investigation

into, or the enforcement of, another state's law that asserts criminal or civil liability for legally

protected healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected healthcare activity.

23-100101-6. Prohibition on expenditure of public resources.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of state law to the contrary and except as required by

federal law, a public agency, including a law enforcement agency, and an employee, appointee,

officer, or official, or any other person acting on behalf of a public agency, may not provide any

information or expend or use time, money, facilities, property, equipment, personnel or other

resources in furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding seeking to impose civil,

administrative, or criminal liability upon a person or entity for:

(1) Legally protected health care healthcare activity; or

(2) Aiding and assisting legally protected health care healthcare activity.

23-100101-7. Noncooperation.

(a) Except as required by federal law, an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency,

while acting under color of law, may not provide information or assistance to a federal law

enforcement agency, to any law enforcement agency in another state or political subdivision of

another state, or to any private citizen in relation to an investigation or inquiry into services

constituting legally protected health care healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally

protected health care healthcare activity, if such services would be lawful as provided if they

occurred entirely in this state.

(b) No arrest. Notwithstanding any provision of state law to the contrary and except as

required by federal law, arrest of a person in this state is prohibited if at the time of the arrest the

arresting official has information or knowledge that the arrest is related to criminal liability that is

based on legally protected health care healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected

health care healthcare activity and the services would be lawful if they occurred entirely in this

state.

agency, or an employee, appointee, officer, or official or any other person acting on behalf of a

public agency:

(1) When responding to a warrant or extradition demand on the good faith belief that the

warrant or demand is valid in this state; or

(2) When exigent circumstances make compliance with this section impossible. For the

purposes of this subsection, "exigent circumstances" means circumstances in which there is an

insufficient time to comply with this section and there is a compelling need for action due to the

presence of an imminent danger to public safety, there is a potential where evidence faces imminent

destruction, or any other circumstances where “exigent circumstances” as defined by common law

exists.

23-100101-8. Choice of law.

Notwithstanding any general or special law or common law conflict of law rule to the

contrary, the laws of this state govern in any case or controversy heard in this state involving legally

protected health care healthcare activity or aiding and assisting legally protected health care

healthcare activity.

23-100101-9. Professions covered.

(a) The protections afforded by the provisions of this chapter for providing gender-

affirming health care healthcare services, legally-protected health care healthcare activity, and

reproductive health care healthcare services, shall apply to the following healthcare providers:

(1) A qualified physician licensed pursuant to chapters 37 and 37.3 of title 5;

(2) A qualified osteopathic physician licensed pursuant to chapter 37 of title 5;

(3) A qualified physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 54 of title 5;

(4) A genetic counselor licensed pursuant to chapter 92 of title 5;

(5) A qualified psychologist licensed pursuant to chapter 44 of title 5;

(6) A qualified social worker licensed pursuant to chapter 39.1 of title 5;

(7) An advanced practice registered nurse, and a certified nurse practitioner, licensed

pursuant to chapter 34 of title 5, and a certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed pursuant to

chapters 34 and 34.2 of title 5;

(8) A certified nurse midwife licensed pursuant to chapter 13 of this title 23;

(9) A licensed clinical mental health counselor or associate, and a licensed marriage and

family therapist or associate, licensed pursuant to chapter 63.2 of title 5;

(10) An electrologist licensed pursuant to chapter 32 of title 5;

(11) A speech-language pathologist licensed pursuant to chapter 48 of title 5;

(12) An occupational therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 40.1 of title 5;

(13) A chiropractic physician licensed pursuant to chapter 30 of title 5; and

(14) A pharmacist engaging in the practice of pharmacy and licensed pursuant to chapter

19.1 of title 5.

SECTION 4. Chapter 12-9 of the General Laws entitled "Extradition" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following section:

12-9-36. Interstate extradition.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, except as required by

federal law, the governor may not comply with any request received from the executive authority

of any other state to issue a warrant for the arrest or surrender of any person charged with a criminal

violation of a law of that other state where the violation alleged involves legally protected health

care healthcare activity, as defined in § 23-100101-2, or aiding and assisting legally protected

health care healthcare activity, as defined in § 23-100101-2. Consistent with the requirements of

the United States Constitution, this limitation does not apply in the circumstance where the person

who is the subject of the request for arrest or surrender was physically present in the requesting

state at the time of the commission of the alleged offense and thereafter fled from that state.

SECTION 5. Title 5 of the General Laws entitled "BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 37.8

PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ACT

5-37.8-1. License protections for providers of legally protected healthcare activity.

(a) As used in this chapter:

(1) “Aiding and assisting with legally protected healthcare activity” has the same meaning

as set forth in § 23-100101-2.

(2) “Healthcare provider” means:

(i) A qualified physician licensed pursuant to chapters 37 and 37.3 of this title 5;

(ii) A qualified osteopathic physician licensed pursuant to chapter 37 of this title 5;

(iii) A qualified physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 54 of this title 5;

(iv) A genetic counselor licensed pursuant to chapter 92 of this title 5;

(v) A qualified psychologist licensed pursuant to chapter 44 of this title 5;

(vi) A qualified social worker licensed pursuant to chapter 39.1 of this title 5;

(vii) An advanced practice registered nurse, and a certified nurse practitioner, licensed

pursuant to chapter 34 of this title 5, and a certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed pursuant

to chapters 34 and 34.2 of this title 5;

(viii) A certified nurse midwife licensed pursuant to chapter 13 of title 23;

(ix) A licensed clinical mental health counselor or associate, and a licensed marriage and

family therapist or associate, licensed pursuant to chapter 63.2 of this title 5;

(x) An electrologist licensed pursuant to chapter 32 of this title 5;

(xi) A speech-language pathologist licensed pursuant to chapter 48 of this title 5;

(xii) An occupational therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 40.1 of this title 5;

(xiii) A chiropractic physician licensed pursuant to chapter 30 of this title 5; and

(xiv) A pharmacist engaging in the practice of pharmacy and licensed pursuant to chapter

19.1 of this title 5.

(3) “Legally protected healthcare activity” has the same meaning as set forth in § 23-

100101-2.

(4) "Prohibited action" means:

(i) Refusing to issue a malpractice policy;

(ii) Charging higher rates for a malpractice policy, including malpractice policies that

include coverage for cross-border care;

(iii) Canceling or terminating a malpractice policy;

(iv) Refusing to renew a malpractice policy; or

(v) Imposing any sanctions, fines, penalties, or rate increases.

(b) No healthcare provider who is certified, registered, or licensed in Rhode Island shall be

subject to professional disciplinary action by a board or the director, including the revocation,

suspension, or cancellation of the certificate, or registration or reprimand, censure or monetary fine

nor shall a board or the director refuse to issue, renew, or take adverse action on an application for

certification, registration, or licensure of a qualified healthcare provider based solely on:

(1) The healthcare provider engaging in legally protected healthcare or aiding and assisting

with legally protected healthcare activity;

(2) A criminal, civil, or disciplinary action, including license suspension or revocation, in

another state against the healthcare provider that is based on the provider engaging in legally

protected healthcare activity or aiding and assisting with legally protected healthcare activity; or

(3) A criminal, civil, or disciplinary action, including license suspension or revocation, in

another state against the healthcare provider that is based solely on the provider violating another

state’s law prohibiting legally protected healthcare activity or aiding and assisting with legally

protected healthcare activity.

(c)(1) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, no person may be subject

to discipline by a board or director, including the revocation, suspension, or cancellation of the

certificate of registration or reprimand, censure or monetary fine, for providing or assisting in the

provision of reproductive health care healthcare services or gender-affirming health care

healthcare services, as those terms are defined in chapter 100101 of title 23 (“healthcare provider

shield act”), or for any judgment, discipline, or other sanction arising solely from such health care

healthcare services if the services as provided would have been lawful and consistent with the

applicable professional standard of care if they occurred entirely in the state.

(2) Except as authorized by state or federal law, the board or director may not make

available for public dissemination on a healthcare provider’s individual profile the record of any

criminal conviction or charge for a felony or serious misdemeanor, final disciplinary action by a

licensing board in another state, or arbitration award or settlement that resulted solely from

providing or assisting in the provision of reproductive health care healthcare services or gender-

affirming health care healthcare services or for any judgment, discipline, or other sanction arising

solely from such legally protected health care healthcare services if the services as provided would

have been lawful and consistent with the applicable professional standard of care if they occurred

entirely in the state. The board or director may not take adverse action on an application for

registration of a qualified healthcare provider based on a criminal or civil action, disciplinary action

by a licensing board of another state, or a medical malpractice claim in another state arising solely

from the provision of reproductive health care healthcare services or gender-affirming health care

healthcare services that, as provided, would have been lawful and consistent with the applicable

professional standard of care if they occurred entirely in the state.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to regulate the practice of medicine in any

other state.

5-37.8-2. Insurance protections for providers of legally protected healthcare activity.

(a) An insurer that issues malpractice insurance for a healthcare provider who is certified,

registered, or licensed in Rhode Island may not take a prohibited action against an applicant for or

the named insured under a malpractice policy in this state because the applicant or insured engaged

in a legally protected healthcare activity or aiding and assisting with legally protected healthcare

activity in this state, as long as the care provided by the applicant or insured was consistent with

the applicable professional standard of care and/or did not violate Rhode Island law.

(b) A carrier may not refuse to credential an applicant, or terminate a participating

healthcare provider’s participation, in a provider network based solely on the applicant’s or

participating healthcare provider’s engagement in legally protected healthcare activity, or aiding

and assisting with legally protected health care healthcare activity, provided that the care provided

by the applicant or insured was consistent with the applicable professional standard of care and/or

did not violate Rhode Island law.

healthcare provider to financial disincentives based solely on the provider engaging in legally

protected healthcare activity, or aiding and assisting with legally protected healthcare activity, as

long as the care provided was consistent with the applicable professional standard of care and/or

did not violate the law of this state. Adverse action in this section means refusing or failing to pay

a provider for otherwise covered services as defined in the applicable health benefit plan.

(d) No medical malpractice insurer may discriminate against a provider or adjust or

otherwise calculate a provider’s risk classification or premium charges because, applying the

definitions set forth in chapter 100101 of title 23 (“healthcare provider shield”):

(1) The health care healthcare provider offers reproductive health care healthcare services

or gender-affirming health care healthcare services that are unlawful in another state;

(2) Another state’s laws create potential or actual liability for those services; or

(3) Hostile litigation against a healthcare provider concerning reproductive health care

healthcare services or gender-affirming health care healthcare services resulted in a judgment

against the healthcare provider, if such health care healthcare services would be lawful and

consistent with the applicable professional standard of care as provided if they occurred entirely in

this state.

5-37.8-3. Employment Protections for providers of legally protected health care

healthcare activity.

An employer, agency, or institution shall not take any adverse action, including but not

limited to, restricting or terminating any health care healthcare provider’s employment or ability

to practice as a result of an adverse action against the health care healthcare provider’s license or

other disciplinary action by another state or institution that resulted from the health care healthcare

provider’s engagement in legally protected healthcare activity, as defined in § 23-100101-2, or

aiding and assisting with legally protected health care healthcare activity, as defined in § 23-

100101-2, if the adverse action was based solely on a violation of the other state’s law prohibiting

such legally protected health care healthcare activity and related services, if that legally protected

health care healthcare activity is consistent with the applicable professional standard of care and

did not violate Rhode Island law.

SECTION 6. Section 23-17-53 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17 entitled "Licensing

of Healthcare Facilities" is hereby amended to read as follows:

23-17-53. Physician contracts.

(a) A hospital, by contract or otherwise, may not refuse or fail to grant or renew medical

staff membership or staff privileges, or condition or otherwise limit or restrict medical staff

membership or staff privileges, based in whole or in part on the fact that the physician or a partner,

associate, or employee of the physician is providing medical or healthcare services at a different

hospital, hospital system, or on behalf of a health plan. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, a

hospital may condition or otherwise limit or restrict staff privileges for reasons related to the

availability of limited resources as determined in advance by the hospital’s governing body. Nor

shall a hospital by contract, or otherwise, limit a physician’s participation or staff privileges or the

participation or staff privileges of a partner, associate, or employee of the physician at a different

hospital, hospital system, or health plan.

(b) This section does not prevent a hospital from entering into contracts with physicians to

ensure physician availability and coverage at the hospital or to comply with regulatory requirements

or quality of care standards established by the governing body of the hospital, if contracts,

requirements or standards do not require that a physician join, participate in, or contract with a

physician-hospital organization or similar organization as a condition of the grant or continuation

of medical staff membership or staff privileges at the hospital.

of physicians granted medical staff membership or privileges at the hospital based on a medical

staff development plan that is unrelated to a physician or a partner, associate, or employee of a

physician having medical staff membership or privileges at another hospital or hospital system.

(d) A contract provision that violates this section shall be void and of no force and effect.

(e) Hospitals shall allow patients of their medical staff to be evaluated and educated by the

various appropriate departments of the hospital upon referral by their treating physician, regardless

of the physician affiliation, as long as the physician has unrestricted privileges in their field of

practice.

(f) A hospital may not take any adverse action, including, but not limited to, refusing or

failing to grant or renew medical staff membership or staff privileges, or condition or otherwise

limit or restrict medical staff membership or staff privileges, based on a result of an adverse action

against a healthcare provider’s license or clinical privileges or other disciplinary action by another

state or healthcare institution that resulted from the healthcare provider’s engagement in legally

protected healthcare activity, as defined in § 23-100101-2, or aiding and assisting with legally

protected healthcare activity, as defined § 23-100101-2, if the adverse action was based solely on

a violation of the other state's law prohibiting such legally protected healthcare activity and related

services, if that legally protected healthcare activity is consistent with the applicable professional

standard of care and/or did not violate Rhode Island law.

SECTION 7. Section 5-37-9.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-37 entitled "Board of

Medical Licensure and Discipline" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-37-9.2. Physician profiles — Public access to data.

(a)(1) The board shall compile the information listed in this section to create individual

profiles on licensed physicians, in a format created by the board, consistent with the provisions of

this section and any regulations promulgated under this section, that are available for dissemination

to the public and that include a conspicuous statement that: “This profile contains certain

information that may be used as a starting point in evaluating the physician. This profile should not

be your sole basis for selecting a physician.”

(2) The following information shall be compiled by the board in accordance with state laws

and board regulations and procedures and shall be included in physician profiles, subject to the

limitations and requirements set forth below:

(i) Names of medical schools and dates of graduation;

(ii) Graduate medical education;

(iii) A description of any final board disciplinary actions within the most recent ten (10)

years;

(iv) A description of any final disciplinary actions by licensing boards in other states within

the most recent ten (10) years;

(v) A description of any criminal convictions for felonies within the most recent ten (10)

years. For the purposes of this subsection, a person is deemed to be convicted of a crime if he or

she the person pleaded guilty or if he or she the person was found or adjudged guilty by a court

of competent jurisdiction, or was convicted of a felony by the entry of a plea of nolo contendere;

(vi) A description of revocation or restriction of hospital privileges for reasons related to

competence taken by the hospital’s governing body or any other official of the hospital after

procedural due process has been afforded, or the resignation from or nonrenewal of medical staff

membership or the restriction of privileges at a hospital. Only cases that have occurred within the

most recent ten (10) years, shall be disclosed by the board to the public; and

(vii) All medical malpractice court judgments and all medical malpractice arbitration

awards in which a payment is awarded to a complaining party since September 1, 1988, or during

the most recent ten (10) years, and all settlements of medical malpractice claims in which a payment

is made to a complaining party since September 1, 1988, or within the most recent ten (10) years.

Dispositions of paid claims shall be reported in a minimum of three (3) graduated categories

indicating the level of significance of the award or settlement. Information concerning paid medical

malpractice claims shall be put in context by comparing an individual physician’s medical

malpractice judgments, awards, and settlements to the experience of other physicians licensed in

Rhode Island who perform procedures and treat patients with a similar degree of risk. All judgment,

award, and settlement information reported shall be limited to amounts actually paid by or on behalf

of the physician.

(3) Comparisons of malpractice payment data shall be accompanied by:

(i) An explanation of the fact that physicians treating certain patients and performing

certain procedures are more likely to be the subject of litigation than others and that the comparison

given is for physicians who perform procedures and treat patients with a similar degree of risk;

(ii) A statement that the report reflects data since September 1, 1988, or for the last ten (10)

years and the recipient should take into account the number of years the physician has been in

practice when considering the data;

(iii) An explanation that an incident, giving rise to a malpractice claim, may have occurred

years before any payment was made due to the time lawsuits take to move through the legal system;

(iv) An explanation of the effect of treating high-risk patients on a physician’s malpractice

history; and

(v) An explanation that malpractice cases may be settled for reasons other than liability

and that settlements are sometimes made by the insurer without the physician’s consent.

(4) Information concerning all settlements shall be accompanied by the following

statement: “Settlement of a claim may occur for a variety of reasons that do not necessarily reflect

negatively on the professional competence or conduct of the physician. A payment in settlement of

a medical malpractice action or claim should not be construed as creating a presumption that

medical malpractice has occurred.” Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or prevent

the board from providing further explanatory information regarding the significance of categories

in which settlements are reported.

(5) Pending malpractice claims and actual amounts paid by or on behalf of a physician in

connection with a malpractice judgment, award, or settlement shall not be disclosed by the board

to the public. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the board from investigating and

disciplining a licensee on the basis of medical malpractice claims that are pending.

(6) The following information shall be reported to the board by the physician and shall be

included in physician profiles, subject to the limitations and requirements specified in this

subdivision subsection (a)(6):

(i) Specialty board certification;

(ii) Number of years in practice;

(iii) Names of the hospitals where the physician has privileges;

(iv) Appointments to medical school faculties and indication as to whether a physician has

a responsibility for graduate medical education within the most recent ten (10) years;

(v) Information regarding publications in peer-reviewed medical literature within the most

recent ten (10) years;

(vi) Information regarding professional or community service activities and awards;

(vii) The location of the physician’s primary practice setting; and

(viii) The identification of any language translating services that may be available at the

physician’s primary practice location; provided, that a statement is included in the profile indicating

that these services may be temporary and that the physician’s office should first be contacted to

confirm the present availability of language translation.

(b) A physician may elect to have his or her their profile omit certain information provided

pursuant to subsections (a)(6)(iv) — (a)(6)(vi) of this section, concerning academic appointments

and teaching responsibilities, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and professional and

community service awards. In collecting information for these profiles and disseminating it, the

board shall inform physicians that they may choose not to provide any information required

pursuant to subsections (a)(6)(iv) — (a)(6)(vi) of this section.

number, personal email address, or other personal contact information of the physician.

(d)(1) The board shall provide individual physicians with a copy of their profiles prior to

initial release to the public and each time a physician’s profile is modified or amended based on

information not personally supplied to the board by the physician or not generated by the board

itself.

(2) Prior to initial release to the public and upon each modification or amendment requiring

physician review as provided in this subsection, a physician shall be provided not less than twenty-

one (21) calendar days to correct factual inaccuracies that appear in his or her the physician’s

profile.

(3) If a dispute arises between a physician and the board regarding the accuracy of factual

information in the physician’s profile, the physician shall notify the board, in writing, of this

dispute.

(4) If a physician does not notify the board of a dispute during the twenty-one-day (21)

review period, the profile shall be released to the public and the physician will be deemed to have

approved the profile and all information contained in the profile.

(5) If a physician notifies the board of a dispute in accordance with this subsection, the

physician’s profile shall be released to the public without the disputed information, but with a

statement to the effect that information in the identified category is currently the subject of a dispute

and is not available at this time.

(6) Within ten (10) calendar days after the board’s receipt of notice of a dispute, the

physician and the board or its authorized representative shall in good faith enter into discussions,

which may continue for up to thirty (30) days, to resolve the dispute. If the dispute is not resolved

within thirty (30) days, the disputed information shall be included in the profile with a statement

that this information is disputed by the physician.

(d)(e) Each profile shall contain a statement specifying the date of its last modification,

amendment, or update. If a physician has reviewed and approved or been deemed to have approved

his or her the physician’s profile in accordance with this subsection, the physician is responsible

for the accuracy of the information contained in it. If a profile is released to the public without

physician review as required by this subsection, then notwithstanding any immunity from liability

granted by § 5-37-1.5 or § 23-1-32, the board or any state agency supplying physician information

to the board is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information it generates or supplies and

that is contained in physician profiles released to the public.

(e)(f) In order to protect against the unauthorized use or disclosure of provider profiles by

department of health employees with access to the data, the department of health shall apply its

existing safeguards and procedures for protecting confidential information to physician profile

information.

(f)(g) For each profile provided to the public by the board, the board may charge no more

than fifty cents ($.50) per page or three dollars ($3.00) per profile, whichever is greater.

SECTION 8. Chapter 23-1 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Health" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

23-1-42.2. Professions and occupations licenses, certifications, and registration –

Confidentiality of personal information.

Notwithstanding the licensure, certification, or registration requirements specified in

statutes governing professions and occupations administered by the department of health, the

director of health shall not include the personal residence address, personal telephone number,

personal email address, or other personal contact information of licensed professionals on any and

all public provider profiles, registries, and any other lists of professionals and occupations

developed and maintained by the department.

SECTION 9. Severability. If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any

person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or

applications of this act, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and

to this end the provisions of this act are declared to be severable.

SECTION 10. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004819/SUB B

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