2026 -- H 7919

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LC005812

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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 BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND

HOSPITALS -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW

     Introduced By: Representatives Furtado, Casimiro, McGaw, and Alzate

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 40.1-5 of the General Laws entitled "Mental Health Law" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     40.1-5-44. Youth behavioral health family navigation guide.

     (a) Establishment. The department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and

hospitals (“the department”) shall develop, publish, and maintain a single, statewide, plain-

language youth behavioral health family navigation guide to assist parents and legal guardians in

understanding how to access and navigate the youth behavioral health system.

     (b) Required content. The guide shall, at a minimum, include:

     (1) Pre-diagnosis information, including:

     (i) Age-appropriate early warning signs and emotional or behavioral indicators;

     (ii) General guidance distinguishing developmentally typical behavior from indicators

warranting professional evaluation;

     (iii) Support strategies that families may implement while awaiting evaluation or treatment,

including emotional regulation and coping skills;

     (iv) Information describing the roles of pediatricians, schools, behavioral health providers,

and other professionals in screening and evaluation; and

     (v) Guidance on how to discuss behavioral health concerns with a child in a

developmentally appropriate and supportive manner.

     (2) Post-diagnosis information, including:

     (i) Descriptions of common levels of care, including inpatient, outpatient, partial

hospitalization, crisis stabilization, and community-based services;

     (ii) Pathways for accessing care through private insurance, public insurance, and options

available to uninsured or underinsured youth;

     (iii) General information regarding referrals, care coordination, documentation commonly

requested for services, and basic legal rights and protections applicable to youth receiving

behavioral health services; and

     (iv) Statewide crisis response contact information.

     (3) Crisis framework. The guide shall include a structured framework to assist families in

assessing and responding to behavioral health crises, including:

     (i) A description of varying levels of functional impairment;

     (ii) Examples of common crisis scenarios and recommended steps;

     (iii) General guidance regarding circumstances in which access to care is delayed or denied,

including system-capacity limitations or insurance denials; and

     (iv) Regionally specific crisis resources.

     (c) Regional resource information. The department may incorporate within the guide

regionally specific behavioral health resource information including, but not limited to, municipal

services, school district programs, designated community behavioral health centers, hospitals, and

nonprofit providers. The structure, organization, and substantive framework of the guide shall

remain uniform and under the sole authority of the department.

     (d) Distribution and updates. The department shall:

     (1) Publish the guide prominently on its website in a downloadable and printable format;

     (2) Update the guide no less than annually;

     (3) Make the guide available for distribution to pediatric healthcare providers, public and

private schools, community behavioral health centers, nonprofit behavioral health organizations,

and other appropriate stakeholders; and

     (4) Ensure accessibility in accordance with applicable state and federal law.

     (e) Nature of guide; limitation of liability. The guide shall be informational in nature and

shall not constitute medical or legal advice. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a

private right of action against the state, the department, or any employee thereof.

     (g) Construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create an entitlement to

services, to alter eligibility requirements established by law, or to expand the regulatory authority

of the department beyond that otherwise provided by law.

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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 -- MENTAL HEALTH LAW

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     This act would require the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities

and hospitals to publish a statewide guide to the youth behavioral health system.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005812

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