2026 -- S 2562

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LC004841

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES

FUNDING PLAN ACT

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Lauria, Vargas, Thompson, Dimitri, Britto, Zurier,
Kallman, Mack, and Acosta

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-7.4-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-7.4 entitled "The

Healthcare Services Funding Plan Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-7.4-3. Imposition of healthcare services funding contribution.

     (a) Each insurer is required to pay the healthcare services funding contribution for each

contribution enrollee of the insurer at the time the contribution is calculated and paid, at the rate set

forth in this section.

     (1) Beginning January 1, 2016, the secretary shall set the healthcare services funding

contribution each fiscal year in an amount equal to: (i) The child immunization funding requirement

described in § 23-1-46; plus (ii) The adult immunization funding requirement described in § 23-1-

46; plus (iii) The children’s health services funding requirement described in § 42-12-29; and all

as divided by (iv) The number of contribution enrollees of all insurers.

     (2) The contribution set forth herein shall be in addition to any other fees or assessments

upon the insurer allowable by law.

     (b) The contribution shall be paid by the insurer; provided, however, a person providing

health benefits coverage on a self-insurance basis that uses the services of a third-party

administrator shall not be required to make a contribution for a contribution enrollee where the

contribution on that enrollee has been or will be made by the third-party administrator.

     (c) Beginning calendar year 2026, in addition to the assessment collection pursuant to

subsection (a), there shall be an additional amount assessed pursuant to (i) and (ii), to support

primary care and other critical healthcare programs, including both the MomsPRN and PediPRN

teleconsultation lines, as described in § 23-1-46.1, totaling thirty million dollars ($30,000,000),

which shall be deposited as general revenues.

     SECTION 2. Section 23-1-46.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-1 entitled "Department

of Health" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     23-1-46.1. Psychiatry resource network account Psychiatry resource network

programs. [See Compiler’s Note.]

     (a) There is created within the general fund a restricted receipt account to be known as the

“PRN account.” All money in the account shall be utilized by the The department of health shall

manage any and all funds available to effectuate coverage for the following services: Existing

Rhode Island lines including the PediPRN and MomsPRN teleconsultation information lines

together with any additional information line, referral service, or hotline which is are available to

support pediatric, primary care, perinatal, and other service providers or residents in the state in

providing appropriate and timely mental healthcare and referrals to children, perinatal patients, and

mothers with mental health concerns., and which is funded pursuant to regulation adopted by the

director of the department of health. Amounts collected pursuant to § 42-7.4-3(a)(1)(iv) shall be

deposited in the “PRN account.” The funds shall be used solely for the purposes of the “PRN

account,” and no other.

     (b) Each year’s psychiatry resource network funding requirement in § 42-7.4-3(a)(1)(iv)

shall be the amount:

     (1) Projected by the department of health for the services in subsection (a) of this section;

plus

     (2) A ten percent (10%) contingency for unexpected expenses; and after

     (3) Deduction for any projected carryover of excess funds from prior assessments.

     (c) The department of health shall submit to the general assembly an annual report on the

program and costs related to the program, on or before February 1 of each year. The department

shall make available to each insurer required to make a contribution pursuant to § 42-7.4-3, upon

its request, detailed information regarding the programs described in subsection (a) of this section

and the costs related to those programs.

     (d)(b) The “PRN account program” shall be exempt from the indirect costs recovery

provisions of § 35-4-27.

     SECTION 3. Chapter 23-13 of the General Laws entitled "Maternal and Child Health

Services for Children with Special Health Care Needs" is hereby amended by adding thereto the

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following section:

     23-13-27. Psychiatry resource network programs.

     (a) Subject to appropriation, with sources including, but not limited to, § 42-7.4-3, the

department shall operate statewide the psychiatry resource network programs: PediPRN and

MomsPRN. These statewide psychiatry resource network programs expand Rhode Island's

behavioral health and substance use capacity by providing workforce development and psychiatric

consultation to primary and specialty care providers, including community-based health

professionals.

     (b) The “PRN program” shall be exempt from the indirect costs recovery provisions of §

35-4-27.

     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES

FUNDING PLAN ACT

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     This act would include both the MomsPRN and PediPRN teleconsultation lines in the

healthcare services funding contributions payable by health insurers.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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