2026 -- H 8568

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LC006469

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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, Donovan, Ajello, Carson,
Fellela, Azzinaro, Bennett, Edwards, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: May 20, 2026

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-1.7-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1.7 entitled "Rhode

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

     23-1.7-6. Healthcare facility plan.

     (a) Every healthcare facility as defined in § 23-17-2 The following healthcare facilities

shall, not later than October 1, 2023 December 31, 2027, complete and implement an operational

plan for the recognition and management of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related

disorders.:

     (1) Nursing facilities;

     (2) Hospitals serving adult populations, excluding hospitals that exclusively serve pediatric

patients; provided, however, that Bradley Hospital shall be exempt from the requirements of this

section;

     (3) Home care and home nursing care providers;

     (4) Organized ambulatory care settings that provide services to adults; provided, however,

that medical marijuana centers, CODAC facilities, and sleep centers shall be exempt from the

requirements of this section;

     (5) Hospice care providers; and

     (6) Rehabilitation hospital centers.

     (b) The department of health shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the

operational plan requirements of subsection (a).

     (c) The director of the department of health, in consultation with the advisory council on

Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, shall determine which healthcare facilities defined in §

23-17-2 will be subject to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. The operational plan

required pursuant to this section shall include protocols for the following:

     (1) Identifying the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, including diseases and

conditions that cause dementia;

     (2) The management and treatment of residents or patients with neurocognitive disorders;

     (3) Environmental considerations designed to optimize physical space and promote patient

safety;

     (4) Transfers, referrals, and discharge planning to appropriate care settings;

     (5) Training of clinical and non-clinical staff; and

     (6) Advance care planning and resources for family members and caregivers.

     (d) The operational plan shall be reviewed annually by the healthcare facility to ensure that

appropriate updates are made.

     (e) The operational plan shall be maintained by the healthcare facility and made available

to the licensing agency upon request.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

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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

***

     This act would amend the current law on Alzheimer’s care by enacting a specific list of

protocols to be followed, more specifically:

     (1) Identifying the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment, including those that cause

dementia;

     (2) The management and treatment of those with neurocognitive disorders;

     (3) Environmental considerations on physical space and patient safety;

     (4) Discharge planning to appropriate care settings;

     (5) Training of clinical and non-clinical staff; and

     (6) Advance care planning and resources for family members and caregivers.

     The act would also specify which healthcare facilities would be subject to this law and

would further provide that the operational plan be reviewed annually and maintained by the

healthcare facility and made available to the licensing agency upon request.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2027

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