2026 -- S 2379

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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 -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

     Introduced By: Senators Ujifusa, Lawson, Ciccone, Tikoian, Appollonio, DiMario,
Lauria, Valverde, Zurier, and Acosta

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 23-1-44 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1 entitled "Department

of Health" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-1-44. Routine childhood and adult immunization vaccines.

     (a) The department of health shall include in the department’s immunization program those

vaccines for routine childhood immunization as recommended by the Advisory Committee for

Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or as determined by the

director of the department of health to be necessary to protect the public health, and for routine

adult immunization as recommended by the ACIP, or as determined by the director of the

department of health to be necessary to protect the public health to the extent permitted by available

funds. The immunization program includes administrative and quality assurance services and the

Rhode Island Child and Adult Immunization Registry (RICAIR), a confidential, computerized

information system that is used to manage statewide immunizations, for all persons in Rhode

Island.

     (b) The director of the department of health shall appoint an advisory committee that will

be convened after the ACIP makes a recommendation regarding immunization at the discretion of

the director. The committee will review the ACIP recommendations for the state and director-

initiated proposals for the state; assess the vaccine cost and feasibility; and advise the director of

health and the office of the health insurance commissioner regarding insurers and providers acting

on the ACIP immunization recommendation immunization recommendations or proposals. All

recommendations will be posted on the department of health website. The advisory committee

membership shall include, but not be limited to, a primary care provider, an epidemiologist, a

pharmacist, major insurers, and at the discretion of the director, representatives of the nursing home

industry, and the home healthcare industry and major insurers.

     (c) For the purpose of protecting patients’ information, all personally-identifiable

information obtained pursuant to this section shall be subject to the privacy protections of chapter

37.3 of title 5 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Pub. L. No.

104-191 (HIPAA), as amended.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness Insurance

Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-18-96. Coverage for vaccinations.

     Every individual or group medical service contract or every individual or group hospital or

medical expense insurance policy, plan or group policy delivered, issued, or renewed in this state

on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage, without cost-sharing, for vaccinations

recommended by the Rhode Island department of health (RIDOH).

     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-19-88. Coverage for vaccinations.

     Every individual or group medical service contract or every individual or group hospital or

medical expense insurance policy, plan or group policy delivered, issued, or renewed in this state

on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage, without cost-sharing, for vaccinations

recommended by the Rhode Island department of health (RIDOH).

     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-20-84. Coverage for vaccinations.

     Every individual or group medical service contract or every individual or group hospital or

medical expense insurance policy, plan or group policy delivered, issued, or renewed in this state

on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage, without cost-sharing, for vaccinations

recommended by the Rhode Island department of health (RIDOH).

     SECTION 5. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance

Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-41-101. Coverage for vaccinations.

     Every individual or group medical service contract or every individual or group hospital or

medical expense insurance policy, plan or group policy delivered, issued, or renewed in this state

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on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage, without cost-sharing, for vaccinations

recommended by the Rhode Island department of health (RIDOH).

     SECTION 6. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     40-8-33. Coverage for vaccinations.

     Commencing January 1, 2027, the medical assistance program shall provide coverage,

without cost-sharing, for all vaccinations recommended by the Rhode Island department of health

(RIDOH). This recommendation shall apply to all Medicaid beneficiaries, whether enrolled in fee-

for-service or managed care, to the extent permitted under federal law.

     SECTION 7. Chapter 40-8.5 of the General Laws entitled "Health Care for Elderly and

Disabled Residents Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     40-8.5-1.2. Coverage for vaccinations.

     (a) As used herein, "managed care systems" is defined as systems that: integrate an efficient

financing mechanism with quality service delivery; provide a “medical home” to ensure appropriate

care and deter unnecessary services; and place emphasis on preventive and primary care. For

purposes of this section, managed care systems may also be defined to include a primary care case-

management model, community health teams, and/or other such arrangements that meet standards

established by the executive office and serve the purposes of this section. Managed care systems

may also include services and supports that optimize the health and independence of beneficiaries

who are determined to need Medicaid-funded long-term care under chapter 8.10 of this title (“long-

term care service reform for Medicaid eligible individuals”) or to be at risk for the care under the

applicable federal state plan or waiver authorities and the rules and regulations promulgated by the

executive office. Any Medicaid beneficiaries who have third-party medical coverage or insurance

may be provided such services through an entity certified by, or in a contractual arrangement with,

the executive office or, as deemed appropriate, exempt from mandatory managed care in

accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the executive office.

     (b) Commencing January 1, 2027, any Medicaid managed care organizations under

contract with the executive office of health and human services shall provide coverage, without

cost-sharing, for vaccinations recommended by the Rhode Island department of health (RIDOH),

to the extent permitted under federal law.

     SECTION 8. Chapter 36-12 of the General Laws entitled "Insurance Benefits" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     36-12-2.1.1. Coverage for vaccinations.

     Commencing January 1, 2027, the director of administration shall administer health benefit

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programs for state employees and retirees, and shall ensure that coverage is provided, without cost-

sharing, for vaccinations recommended by the Rhode Island department of health (RIDOH).

     SECTION 9. Severability.

     If any section of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the

invalidity shall not affect other sections or applications of the act that can be given effect without

the invalid section or application, and to this end the sections of this act are declared severable.

     SECTION 10. 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 -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

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     Commencing January 1, 2027, this act would mandate insurers provide health insurance

coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the state department

of health and would mandate the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care

organizations.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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