2026 -- H 7030 | |
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LC003152 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Shanley, Craven, Caldwell, Bennett, Casimiro, Corvese, | |
Date Introduced: January 09, 2026 | |
Referred To: House Health & Human Services | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby |
2 | amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 106 |
4 | HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT |
5 | 23-106-1. Title. |
6 | This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Healthcare Worker Platform Act." |
7 | 23-106-2. Definitions. |
8 | For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and terms have the following |
9 | meanings: |
10 | (a) "Healthcare worker platform" means any person, company, corporation, partnership, or |
11 | association that operates or offers a platform. A "healthcare worker platform" is not considered a |
12 | "nursing service agency", as defined in § 23-17.7.1-2. |
13 | (b) "Platform" means an electronic platform, system, or application through which |
14 | healthcare workers can accept one or more shifts to perform healthcare related services at a |
15 | healthcare facility. To meet the definition of a platform, a healthcare worker platform shall not: |
16 | (1) Require a healthcare worker to work any specific shifts or specific number of shifts at |
17 | a healthcare facility; or |
18 | (2) Restrict a healthcare worker from engaging in any other occupation or business or from |
19 | working at a healthcare facility, with any nursing service agency, or through any other healthcare |
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1 | worker platform. |
2 | 23-106-3. Licensure of healthcare worker platforms. |
3 | (a) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a healthcare worker platform shall |
4 | be excluded from the definition of a "nursing service agency", as defined by §§ 23-17.7.1-3, 23- |
5 | 17.7.1-10, and 23-17.7.1-19. |
6 | (b) On or before June 1, 2027, the department of health shall promulgate rules and |
7 | regulations that shall require the licensure of each healthcare worker platform that operates or offers |
8 | a platform within the state. |
9 | (c) The department of health may assess an annual licensure fee of one thousand dollars |
10 | ($1,000) per licensee. |
11 | (d) After September 1, 2027, or by the date the department of health has set for licensure |
12 | of healthcare worker platforms pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, whichever is later, no |
13 | healthcare worker platform shall operate a platform in the state, unless it is licensed pursuant to |
14 | subsection (b) of this section. |
15 | 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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT | |
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1 | This act would establish the healthcare worker platform act allowing for the creation of |
2 | healthcare worker platforms, that would offer healthcare shifts enabling healthcare workers to |
3 | perform healthcare services. The healthcare worker platforms would be required to register with |
4 | the department of health and would be considered exempt from classification as a nursing service |
5 | agency. |
6 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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