2024 -- H 7643

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LC005163

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND

HOSPITALS -- HEALTHCARE SERVICE PROVIDER ABUSER REGISTRY -- HOLLY'S

LAW

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Noret, J. Brien, Casimiro, Azzinaro, Kazarian, Shanley,
and Shallcross Smith

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2024

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 40.1 of the General Laws entitled "BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE,

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DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS" is hereby amended by adding thereto

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the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 30

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HEALTHCARE SERVICE PROVIDER ABUSER REGISTRY

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     40.1-30-1. Short title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "Holly's Law."

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     40.1-30-2. Behavioral healthcare service provider abuser registry.

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     (a) The director shall establish and maintain a registry of employees found in violation of

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or disciplined for any felony offense, any misdemeanor crime of dishonesty or offense involving

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the use of any illegal substance.

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     (1) The registry shall include, but not be limited to:

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     (i) Name;

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     (ii) Last place of employment;

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     (iii) License number if applicable; and

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     (iv) Date of offense.

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     (b) The registry shall be a publicly accessible online database managed by the department.

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     (c) The registry shall be maintained and updated regularly by the department to properly

 

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reflect the current status of any employee subject to a disciplinary review for an alleged infraction

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of ยง 40.1-22-27 or found to be in violation of any felony offense, any misdemeanor crime of

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dishonesty or offense involving the use of any illegal substance.

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     (d) If a disciplinary review of the employee yields no disciplinary action, or a conviction

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under subsection (a) of this section which has been expunged, the employee's record shall be

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removed from the registry.

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     (e) The director, or designee, upon request of any other licensed healthcare facility, may

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provide any or all information available regarding circumstances under which the employee was

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disciplined or released.

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     (f) The director shall promulgate guidelines and procedures to implement the provisions of

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this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND

HOSPITALS -- HEALTHCARE SERVICE PROVIDER ABUSER REGISTRY -- HOLLY'S

LAW

***

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     This act would require the director of the department of behavioral healthcare,

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developmental disabilities and hospitals (BHDDH) to establish and maintain a registry of

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employees found to be in violation of and disciplined for any felony offense, any misdemeanor

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crime of dishonesty or offense involving the use of any illegal substance. The registry would be

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publicly accessible online and updated regularly and the director would promulgate guidelines and

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procedures to implement its provisions.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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