2026 -- H 8545 AS AMENDED

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LC006434

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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 -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, McNamara, Kennedy, Newberry, Shallcross

     Date Introduced: May 13, 2026

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 23-1.7-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1.7 entitled "Rhode

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Island Program to Address Alzheimer’s Disease" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     23-1.7-5. Medical professional training.

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     (a) All physicians licensed pursuant to chapter 37 of title 5, and nurses licensed pursuant

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to chapter 34 of title 5, shall, no later than October 1, 2023, complete a one-time course of training

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consisting of and physician assistants licensed pursuant to chapter 54 of title 5, shall complete a

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minimum of one hour of instruction every other renewal cycle on the diagnosis, treatment, and care

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of patients with cognitive impairments including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and

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related disorders. Individuals providing care solely in pediatrics, radiology, and pathology may be

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exempt from the provisions of the required medical professional training through rules promulgated

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by the department.

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     (b) The department of health shall promulgate rules to implement the training requirement

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of subsection (a).

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC006434

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND PROGRAM TO ADDRESS

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

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     This act would amend the current law to include all licensed physician assistants along

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with licensed physicians and nurses who are required, each license renewal period, to complete a

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minimum of one hour of instruction on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with cognitive

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impairments including, Alzheimer’s disease.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC006434

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