H8365

	2026 -- H 8365
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	LC006207
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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 -- INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH
	COLLABORATION

	Introduced By: Representatives Fogarty, Handy, Bennett, Donovan, Spears, Cotter, Carson, Speakman, McGaw, and Craven
	Date Introduced: March 27, 2026
	Referred To: House Health & Human Services
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1.
2	Legislative findings.
3	The general assembly finds that:
4	(1) Infectious disease outbreak occurring anywhere in the world may rapidly impact the
5	health and safety of residents of Rhode Island.
6	(2) Early detection and coordinated response are essential to preventing the spread of
7	emerging infectious diseases.
8	(3) International public health collaboration networks facilitate rapid communication,
9	surveillance, and deployment of expertise during outbreaks.
10	(4) Participation by the state in such networks can enhance preparedness, training, and
11	global surveillance capacity.
12	SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
13	amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
14	CHAPTER 106
15	INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH COLLABORATION
16	23-106-1. Definitions.
17	As used in this chapter:
18	(1) “Department” means the Rhode Island department of health.

1	(2) “Global outbreak response network” means an international collaboration of public
2	health institutions coordinated by the World Health Organization or similar international public
3	health authority for the purpose of disease surveillance and outbreak response.
4	(3) “Public health collaboration agreement” means an agreement between the department
5	and a national or international public health entity to share expertise, training, surveillance
6	information, or technical assistance related to infectious disease response.
7	23-106-2. Authority of the department.
8	The department is authorized to:
9	(1) Participate in international public-health collaboration network including, but not
10	limited, to the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (“GOARN”).
11	(2) Enter into public-health collaboration agreements with federal agencies, international
12	organizations, academic institutions, and public-health authorities.
13	(3) Designate a state public-health office, department of health laboratory, or program as
14	the institutional partner representing the state in such networks.
15	(4) Participate in training programs, data-sharing initiatives, and technical assistance
16	programs related to outbreak detection and response.
17	(5) Provide voluntary deployment of qualified public-health personnel where possible to
18	assist in outbreak investigations or response efforts coordinated through such networks.
19	23-106-3. Privacy and legal protections.
20	Participation authorized under this chapter shall:
21	(1) Comply with all applicable federal and state privacy laws.
22	(2) Protect individually identifiable health information consistent with the Health Insurance
23	Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and state public health confidentiality
24	statutes.
25	(3) Not transfer regulatory or policymaking authority of the state to any international
26	organization.
27	23-106-4. Coordination with federal authorities.
28	The department shall coordinate participation in international public-health collaboration
29	networks with relevant agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when
30	appropriate.
31	SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC006207
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH
	COLLABORATION
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1	This act would authorize the department of health to participate in international public-
2	health collaboration networks.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC006207
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